theverge--2020-10-30--iPhone 12 camera replacement issues could hint at further restrictions on third-party Apple repairs

Apple ’ s latest iPhone 12 smartphone appears to be even more difficult for third-party companies to repair , according to a report from iFixit .
Specifically , the new phone appears to run into issues if a user replaces the camera module , which renders the cameras almost totally unusable .
The issue — first spotted by YouTuber Hugh Jeffreys — doesn ’ t appear to be a strictly hardware-related problem .
As iFixit ’ s teardown notes , the iPhone 12 is actually a relatively good device when it comes to disassembly and replacement of various key parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera module from one iPhone 12 to another , it appears that the phone will reject the replacement part , with iFixit describing issues with the ultrawide camera and general issues of unresponsiveness .
The iPhone 12 marks the first iPhone to have these problems — previous models allowed for replacement cameras with no issues , and even the iPhone 12 Pro appears to work completely fine .
It ’ s not clear whether this is a one-off glitch or some specific quirk of the iPhone 12 ’ s cameras .
Previous iPhone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the iPhone 7 and 8 Plus , where Apple used three different display manufacturers that weren ’ t fully interchangeable .
But even if the camera issue is just a temporary one , iFixit notes that it seems clear that Apple is looking to maintain a stricter control over iPhone repairs .
The DIY repair site also claims to have gotten ahold of Apple ’ s new internal training guides for iPhone 12 support , which note that repairing a camera or display will now require Apple ’ s own , in-house System @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only been required for a battery swap .
And Apple has long since limited some aspects of iPhone repairs , like its Touch ID and Face ID sensors , which it ’ s barred third-party repairs from in the name of security .
But even if those components — which are critical parts of unlocking an iPhone — really do have those additional security requirements that would necessitate Apple-only repairs , it ’ s hard to see how the camera or battery would require similar restrictions .
It ’ s possible that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , especially given Apple ’ s past history with slightly wonky part swapping and the fact that the issue appears to only impact that iPhone 12 and not the 12 Pro .
But given Apple ’ s past history with things like its attempt to lock down “ unauthorized ” third-party battery or display repairs with ominous warnings , it ’ s possible the camera issue here is just the start of even further part restrictions .
In a statement , Apple didn ’ t address the compatibility issue for iPhone 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ We are committed to giving our customers more options and locations for safe and reliable repairs .
Our new independent repair provider program is designed to give repair businesses of all sizes access to genuine parts , training and tools needed to perform the most common iPhone repairs .
These service providers have access to the same tools and repair manuals used by Apple and Authorized Service Providers ( AASPs ) .
”

Apple’s latest iPhone 12 smartphone appears to be even more difficult for third-party companies to repair, according to a report from iFixit. Specifically, the new phone appears to run into issues if a user replaces the camera module, which renders the cameras almost totally unusable.
The issue — first spotted by YouTuber Hugh Jeffreys — doesn’t appear to be a strictly hardware-related problem. As iFixit’s teardown notes, the iPhone 12 is actually a relatively good device when it comes to disassembly and replacement of various key parts.
But should you actually swap a camera module from one iPhone 12 to another, it appears that the phone will reject the replacement part, with iFixit describing issues with the ultrawide camera and general issues of unresponsiveness.
The iPhone 12 marks the first iPhone to have these problems — previous models allowed for replacement cameras with no issues, and even the iPhone 12 Pro appears to work completely fine. It’s not clear whether this is a one-off glitch or some specific quirk of the iPhone 12’s cameras. Previous iPhone models have had related issues, like the iPhone 7 and 8 Plus, where Apple used three different display manufacturers that weren’t fully interchangeable.
But even if the camera issue is just a temporary one, iFixit notes that it seems clear that Apple is looking to maintain a stricter control over iPhone repairs. The DIY repair site also claims to have gotten ahold of Apple’s new internal training guides for iPhone 12 support, which note that repairing a camera or display will now require Apple’s own, in-house System Configuration app, something that had previously only been required for a battery swap.
And Apple has long since limited some aspects of iPhone repairs, like its Touch ID and Face ID sensors, which it’s barred third-party repairs from in the name of security. But even if those components — which are critical parts of unlocking an iPhone — really do have those additional security requirements that would necessitate Apple-only repairs, it’s hard to see how the camera or battery would require similar restrictions.
It’s possible that this is all just a glitch in the system, especially given Apple’s past history with slightly wonky part swapping and the fact that the issue appears to only impact that iPhone 12 and not the 12 Pro. But given Apple’s past history with things like its attempt to lock down “unauthorized” third-party battery or display repairs with ominous warnings, it’s possible the camera issue here is just the start of even further part restrictions.


theverge--2020-10-30--The Mandalorian is better the less like Star Wars it gets

If you ’ re looking for some of the wider implications of The Mandalorian ’ s first season in the new premiere , now streaming on Disney Plus , you ’ ll probably be disappointed .
You ’ re not going to learn anything about the “ darksaber ” wielded by Moff Gideon ( Giancarlo Esposito ) or any more about Din Djarin , the eponymous Mandalorian ( Pedro Pascal ) than you already do .
His goal this season is straightforward : bring The Child ( “ Baby Yoda ” to everyone online ) to its people .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s home , Djarin needs to find other Mandalorians .
Which is to say that The Mandalorian ’ s second season begins similarly to its first : a masked man comes to town , searching for someone .
Instead of his quarry , he finds trouble , which is a huge headache for him but tremendous fun for us .
It is , in other words , still a Western with landspeeders instead of horses .
And while it has the potential to be a lot more than that , making that shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is best when it leans away from Star Wars .
Even so , Djarin ’ s journey brings him to a familiar place : Tatooine , Star Wars ’ most famous planet .
There , Djarin doesn ’ t find another Mandalorian but someone named Cobb Vanth .
Vanth is notable for two reasons : first , because he ’ s wearing Boba Fett ’ s armor , and second , because he ’ s played by Timothy Olyphant , a man that seems too handsome for Star Wars .
I realize that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Oscar Isaac , men that are technically too handsome to exist , but this feels true to me .
( Perhaps it ’ s simply because Olyphant smiles so much .
This is not a complaint . )
Naturally , our Mandalorian wants answers from Cobb Vanth — about the armor , not about being handsome — and Vanth is willing to give him some , on the condition that he helps with something called The Great Dragon .
The sequence is quite unlike anything I ’ ve seen in Star Wars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yeah , that ’ s essentially the premiere : short on lore and big on dragon hunting .
It ’ s a nice clean opening that reminds you what the show is good at — keeping things small — but it ’ s one that also plays with expectations , which is something every show has to contend with at the start of a second season .
And The Mandalorian has to struggle with it more than most , because Star Wars is code for nostalgia .
With the sequel trilogy finished and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map , the show is Star Wars .
It ’ s the only new filmed property in production .
Because of this , the show has to balance the natural desire to go bigger in a second season with a huge fandom ’ s expectations for what a new Star Wars should have .
On top of that , it ’ s still the biggest reason to sign up for Disney Plus , which means it has to stay buzzworthy until other shows arrive to share that weight .
There are indications that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desires in the coming weeks , but I ’ m not sure that would make for a better show .
Nothing about the nine episodes that have aired point to it becoming a carefully constructed Game of Thrones-esque epic where a lot hinges on the finale — which , to be clear , is a good thing .
It ’ s just a show that , right now , seems built to stride into the horizon indefinitely .
One day it might fade from view , but that day isn ’ t today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s desire to be a Western and the burden of its Star Wars pedigree is one of the most interesting things about it — specifically the way it refuses to cater to its family ’ s tropes .
The spare dialogue and absence of space dogfights and Jedi are hallmarks of the show and are what make it fun to watch and perennially accessible .
It ’ s one of the few bits of event television that delights in episodic storytelling .
In 2020 , this is the most surprising thing about The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in hyping up a spinoff series , in furthering the complex mythology of Star Wars with plot twists and supplementary materials .
That ’ ll change , and probably soon .
But right now , it ’ s just a collection of stories about the time a Mandalorian came to town , and for as long as it is , it will feel strange and new .

If you’re looking for some of the wider implications of The Mandalorian’s first season in the new premiere, now streaming on Disney Plus, you’ll probably be disappointed. You’re not going to learn anything about the “darksaber” wielded by Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) or any more about Din Djarin, the eponymous Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) than you already do. His goal this season is straightforward: bring The Child (“Baby Yoda” to everyone online) to its people. And in order to find The Child’s home, Djarin needs to find other Mandalorians.
Which is to say that The Mandalorian’s second season begins similarly to its first: a masked man comes to town, searching for someone. Instead of his quarry, he finds trouble, which is a huge headache for him but tremendous fun for us. It is, in other words, still a Western with landspeeders instead of horses. And while it has the potential to be a lot more than that, making that shift would be a mistake because The Mandalorian is best when it leans away from Star Wars.
Even so, Djarin’s journey brings him to a familiar place: Tatooine, Star Wars’ most famous planet. There, Djarin doesn’t find another Mandalorian but someone named Cobb Vanth. Vanth is notable for two reasons: first, because he’s wearing Boba Fett’s armor, and second, because he’s played by Timothy Olyphant, a man that seems too handsome for Star Wars. I realize that Star Wars has also featured Harrison Ford and Oscar Isaac, men that are technically too handsome to exist, but this feels true to me. (Perhaps it’s simply because Olyphant smiles so much. This is not a complaint.)
Naturally, our Mandalorian wants answers from Cobb Vanth — about the armor, not about being handsome — and Vanth is willing to give him some, on the condition that he helps with something called The Great Dragon. The sequence is quite unlike anything I’ve seen in Star Wars before, and it rules.
So yeah, that’s essentially the premiere: short on lore and big on dragon hunting. It’s a nice clean opening that reminds you what the show is good at — keeping things small — but it’s one that also plays with expectations, which is something every show has to contend with at the start of a second season. And The Mandalorian has to struggle with it more than most, because Star Wars is code for nostalgia.
With the sequel trilogy finished and no new Star Wars movies on the map, the show is Star Wars. It’s the only new filmed property in production. Because of this, the show has to balance the natural desire to go bigger in a second season with a huge fandom’s expectations for what a new Star Wars should have.
On top of that, it’s still the biggest reason to sign up for Disney Plus, which means it has to stay buzzworthy until other shows arrive to share that weight. There are indications that The Mandalorian might satisfy all of those desires in the coming weeks, but I’m not sure that would make for a better show. Nothing about the nine episodes that have aired point to it becoming a carefully constructed Game of Thrones-esque epic where a lot hinges on the finale — which, to be clear, is a good thing. It’s just a show that, right now, seems built to stride into the horizon indefinitely. One day it might fade from view, but that day isn’t today.
The tension between The Mandalorian’s desire to be a Western and the burden of its Star Wars pedigree is one of the most interesting things about it — specifically the way it refuses to cater to its family’s tropes. The spare dialogue and absence of space dogfights and Jedi are hallmarks of the show and are what make it fun to watch and perennially accessible. It’s one of the few bits of event television that delights in episodic storytelling.


theverge--2020-10-30--The best laptop you can buy in 2020

The best laptop you can buy in 2020

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Share All sharing options for : The best laptop you can buy in 2020 The best laptops to buy in 2020 come with a variety of brands , prices , and features .
Our current pick for the best laptop of 2020 is the Dell XPS 13 .
Here , we ’ ve got the rest of the top laptops , business notebooks , gaming rigs , Chromebooks , and 2-in-1 convertibles .
We live in a world where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and even smartwatches are a thing that people talk about on the regular .
But throughout all of these advances , the humble laptop has persevered — and for good reason .
When it comes time to work , whether that 's editing photos , writing a lot of emails , composing documents , or staying in touch with colleagues and family , we ’ re here with our top picks to help you find the best laptop for the job .
It 's getting harder to buy a bad laptop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 from good laptops is how they balance power , efficiency , portability , and comfort .
The top laptop should have a fantastic keyboard and trackpad — after all , those are the two biggest reasons you 'd choose a laptop over a smartphone or tablet .
Its display should be easy on the eyes , bright , and sharp enough that you are n't distracted by jagged edges and visible pixels .
It should be powerful enough for most anything short of intensive video editing and advanced gaming .
It should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place , and it should be able to last all day without needing to be plugged in .
That ’ s why the Dell XPS 13 is the best laptop in 2020 .
It ’ s a device that does just about everything right .
While it ’ s certainly not a perfect device , there are no major flaws .
It ’ s a great pick for productivity , browsing , and even light gaming .
In our view , the best laptop for Mac users is the MacBook Air ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s biggest problem — the keyboard — and upgraded to more modern processors .
Our other picks for the best laptops , Chromebooks , and 2-in-1s of 2020 include the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 , the MacBook Pro 16 , and the HP Elite Dragonfly .
Check out the full list of best laptop picks below .
The best laptop you can buy If you ’ re looking for a laptop that does just about everything right , we recommend Dell ’ s latest XPS 13 .
It features a sturdy build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrated graphics , and a nearly bezel-free 16:10 panel .
The display is what you ’ ll likely notice first .
It has a 91.5 percent screen-to-body ratio with a bottom bezel of just 4.6mm .
You can configure the XPS with a 1920 x 1200 pixel or 4K display , but the lower-resolution model should be adequate for anyone who ’ s not doing creative work .
It delivers up to 500 nits of brightness ( plenty for working in a bright room or even outdoors ) and accurate , vivid colors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significantly better battery life , in addition to the lower cost .
You can customize a number of other specs ; the current base model has a Core i5-1035G1 , 8GB RAM , a 256GB SSD , and a 1920 x 1200 non-touch display .
( There ’ s allegedly a model with a Core i3 and 4GB RAM floating around , but it ’ s not currently listed on Dell ’ s website .
You should avoid it if you see it . )
We recommend this base model to anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan on gaming or creative work , it ’ s worth upgrading for more storage and RAM .
The latest XPS 13 excels at productivity and even has enough power for light gaming The Ice Lake processor features Intel ’ s new Iris Plus integrated graphics , which delivered exceptional performance for an integrated GPU .
You ’ ll still want a discrete graphics card for serious gaming , but you ’ ll have no problem running lighter fare like Overwatch and Rocket League .
On those games , it delivers comparable performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Nvidia ’ s MX150 that came in older versions of the Razer Blade Stealth .
When it comes to the other basics , the XPS beats its competition in just about every way .
We got an acceptable seven hours of battery life and even three hours of light gaming .
( League of Legends was playable for about 85 percent of that time . )
The keyboard and touchpad are among the best in their categories as well .
And at just 2.8 pounds and 0.58 inches thick , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the XPS 13 is its limited port selection .
With just two Thunderbolt 3 ports , a headphone jack , and a microSD slot , it ’ s getting into MacBook territory ( though it does ship with a USB-C to USB-A dongle ) .
The 720p webcam is also pretty terrible , though , in Dell ’ s defense , it had to squeeze the thing into a 2.25mm top bezel .
These are legitimate concerns that may drive some users to look elsewhere .
But for most users , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fundamentals : build quality , keyboard , touchpad , display , and performance .
The XPS excels in all of those areas , earning it our top recommendation .
Dell recently released a new version of the XPS 13 with Intel ’ s 11th-Gen Tiger Lake processors .
It starts at $ 999 .
We ’ ll be reviewing that shortly , and will update this page to let you know how it compares .
The best budget laptop you can buy You don ’ t need to spend $ 1,000 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premium .
The HP Envy x360 2020 is the best budget laptop you can buy , thanks to its sturdy and compact build , chic convertible design , and excellent performance .
Part of what makes the Envy so great is that HP has ported over a number of elements from its excellent 2019 flagship , the Spectre x360 , including the thin and light chassis , and nearly bezel-free display with an 88 percent screen-to-body ratio .
The touchscreen ( which supports HP ’ s MPP2.0 pen ) is bright and looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300-nit , 400-nit , or 1,000-nit panel ) .
And HP has added a row of convenient hotkeys to the keyboard , including kill switches for the microphone and webcam .
But the most exciting feature is inside : The new Envy x360 is powered by AMD ’ s Ryzen 4000 series .
The Ryzen 5-4500U in my model did an outstanding job with a fairly heavy load of multitasking .
And AMD ’ s integrated Raedon graphics delivered good gaming performance comparable to what you ’ d expect from a lower-powered discrete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users The 2020 MacBook Air is the best option for most people who prefer the Apple ecosystem .
The Air comes with 10th Gen Intel processors ( though in a lower power variation than the XPS 13 ) , a sharp Retina display , and a new scissor-switch keyboard .
The base configuration ( including a Core i3 , 8GB RAM , and 256GB storage ) comes in under $ 1,000 , but we recommend that you go for , at minimum , the upgraded model with a Core i5 processor .
MacBook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past few years .
But the 2020 Air inherited the new-and-improved keyboard from the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro , which brings back the “ inverted T ” arrow layout and keys with 1mm of travel .
There ’ s no Touch Bar , but that ’ s a controversial feature already , and most users should be fine with the standard top row and function keys .
It does retain the Touch ID fingerprint scanner for easy logins and payment authentication .
The MacBook Air is the default Apple laptop for most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three different Y-series chips , maxing out at a 1.2GHz quad-core Core i7 .
We had no problem with the 1.1GHz Core i5 , though ; it handled Chrome , Slack , Zoom , and Lightroom just fine , and had single-threaded Geekbench scores in line with those of the 16-inch MacBook Pro .
Where you might run into trouble is with heavy workloads that need to run for long periods of time , such as rendering graphics or exporting video .
We witnessed some thermal throttling in these cases , and clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the processor ’ s boost .
That means if you ’ re doing heavy creative work or other tasks that really push the CPU , you ’ re likely to experience slowdown and a very loud fan .
The MacBook Air does have a few other significant weaknesses .
The primary one is battery life .
We got about five hours using a workflow of Chrome , Slack , Zoom , and Lightroom with the screen on maximum brightness .
You ’ ll probably get more juice if you dim the screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we expect most people will want to keep the brightness high ( it only gets up to 400 nits ) , and third-party programs are necessities for many .
Despite those downsides , though , the MacBook Air will serve as a competent and reliable device for most users .
It has the excellent design , display , performance , and ( finally ) keyboard that we expect from Apple .
Power users who need the Pro probably know who they are ; everyone else should be just fine with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astonishingly powerful gaming laptop for a low price ( relative to other notebooks with comparable hardware ) .
It pairs AMD ’ s new Ryzen 9 4900HS with an Nvidia RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU and a 120HZ display , and it can run demanding games at their highest settings without a problem .
It ’ s also quite light for such a powerful laptop , weighing just over 3.5 pounds .
Its battery life is also impressive for a gaming rig ; we got almost nine hours of multitasking .
But you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appreciate the Zephyrus G14 .
It ’ s also a great notebook for business and everyday multitasking with a unique retro design .
Plus , the keyboard and touchpad are exceptional and quiet enough not to bother officemates .
On the flip side , if you need to use your laptop for videoconferences , the G14 would not be a great choice , as it lacks a webcam .
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the best Apple laptop for power users .
Apple dealt with the biggest complaints that people have historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can stomach the price , there ’ s not a lot else to complain about .
Most importantly , the keyboard is good again .
The keys have a full millimeter of travel , and while the typing experience isn ’ t exceptional , it ’ s a world away from the maligned butterfly keyboard of MacBooks past .
It ’ s fairly quiet , too .
This MacBook also features the best sound you ’ ll find on a laptop .
Apple has crammed three speakers into each side , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audio with audible bass and great stereo separation .
For those who need a laptop that can crank through editing video , working with multiple audio tracks , or processing large batches of photos , the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the king of the hill .
If you ’ re a business professional and money is no object for you or your company , you can ’ t do better than the HP Elite Dragonfly .
The 2020 model is the first Dragonfly that features HP ’ s super-secure SureView Reflect technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t see what you ’ re doing while you ’ re working in public .
When it ’ s not tinted , the display gets quite bright ( over 700 nits ) and has great viewing angles .
The new Dragonfly is also the first laptop to include a built-in Tile tracker .
That means if you lose the device , you can use the Tile smartphone app to set off an alarm ( if it ’ s in Bluetooth range ) or locate it anywhere in the world using Tile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can work for a limited time even when the laptop is off .
Almost everything else about the Dragonfly is good ; it has some of the best battery life of any laptop on the market ( we got over 11 hours ) , a sleek and stunning 2-in-1 design , and an exceptional keyboard .
Plus , it incorporates sustainable material , including ocean-bound plastics and recycled DVDs .
The Dragonfly is pricey , and there are cheaper business laptops that will suit the needs of most professionals just fine .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best of the best , it ’ s the unambiguous winner .
Lenovo ’ s Chromebook Duet is a great convertible laptop for kids , or anyone who wants a reliable secondary driver for browsing and games .
It ’ s a nice-looking , well-made 10-inch device that comes with a detachable keyboard and kickstand .
The Duet is tailor-made to be used around the house and on the go , weighing just 2.03 pounds and delivering over 11 hours of battery life .
Its MediaTek processor isn ’ t designed to shoulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just fine for browsing in a couple tabs , watching Netflix , or playing Android games — it even handles photo editing pretty well .
The Duet also features a new “ tablet mode ” for Chrome OS , which supports an Android-inspired gesture navigation system and a unique Chrome layout optimized for tablet use .
The Chromebook Duet is an absolute steal for its low price , and is the Chromebook to buy if you ’ re on a tight budget .
Usually , if you want a 17-inch laptop that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most demanding games , you ’ d expect some compromises on portability and design .
Notebooks of this size often weigh north of seven pounds and require multiple power bricks to charge .
But while the Blade Pro 17 doesn ’ t have quite the gaming chops of some bulky desktop replacements , it makes up for that by sporting the compact and attractive design that ’ s a trademark of the Razer Blade line .
At just over six pounds , it ’ s not too difficult to move around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You get an RTX GPU ( up to Nvidia ’ s 2080 Super Max-Q ) an eight-core CPU ( Intel ’ s Core i7-10875H ) and either a 300Hz screen or a 120Hz touchscreen .
There ’ s even an RGB keyboard with color effects tailored to the game you ’ re playing .
The Spectre x360 is a premium-level 2-in-1 Windows laptop with the latest processor options from Intel , a vibrant touchscreen , and more port options than are found on other laptops in this segment .
The x360 weighs less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an inch thick when closed , which makes it very easy to travel with .
The latest model has a smaller footprint than before , thanks to shrunken bezels above and below the screen , but it still maintains a full-size keyboard and spacious trackpad .
In addition , it provides both facial and fingerprint biometric authentication , so you can choose which way you prefer to log in .
HP updated the trackpad drivers it uses in the latest model to Microsoft ’ s Precision set and the experience is improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it ’ s no longer an issue .
The x360 ’ s trackpad is now right up there with the best Windows trackpad options ( which are still a tick behind what you get on a MacBook ) in terms of scrolling , multifinger gestures , and palm rejection .
The biggest argument against the x360 is that it has a 16:9 display , as opposed to the 16:10 or 3:2 screens you ’ ll find on Dell or Microsoft ’ s computers .
Those taller aspect ratios are much better for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working in two documents side by side or researching on the web without having to scroll as much .
But unless you are very particular about your screen ’ s aspect ratio , most people won ’ t find this to be a deal-breaker .
The best MacBook Pro for everyday users If you ’ re looking for a MacBook that ’ s more powerful than the Air , but isn ’ t as pricey as the 16-inch Pro , the MacBook Pro 13 hits the sweet spot in the middle .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speakers and — finally — a keyboard that ’ s actually reliable .
There are two models you can consider depending on your needs : the “ base ” model has 8th-Gen Intel processors and two Thunderbolt 3 processors , while the pricier version has 10th-Gen processors and four Thunderbolt 3 ports ( as well as 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD ) .
If you can afford it , we recommend stepping up to the pricier version , as the performance difference between the two generations is noticeable .
The best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college students , or anyone else who needs an affordable , portable machine , a Chromebook can be a great option .
Though it ’ s not the cheapest model available , Acer ’ s Chromebook Spin 713 offers top-notch performance at a lower price than many competing Chromebooks ( and other laptops ) .
It can be equipped with a Core i3 , Core i5 , or Core i7 — the i5 model we tested handled a heavy multitasking load without any slowdown , heat , or noise .
Add all-day battery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a generous port selection that includes a full-size HDMI , and there ’ s very little not to like .
But where the 713 really shines is its display .
The 3:2 gives you extra space for comfortable multitasking , and the sharp panel delivers a really excellent picture — I actually preferred it to my MacBook Pro ’ s screen .
Between its standout performance , peripherals , and portability , this is really the Chromebook to beat .
The Gigabyte Aero 15 is a colorful , powerful laptop for creative professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OLED screen with an eight-core i7-10875H processor and Nvidia ’ s cutting-edge GeForce RTX 2070 Super Max-Q GPU .
It also comes with a laundry list of ports , including a full SD-card slot , so you ’ ll be able to plug in all kinds of projectors , monitors , and other equipment without a problem .
We also found that it was able to run demanding games on their highest settings at acceptable frame rates , and export 4K video as fast as any other laptop we ’ ve tested .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you just want to play games , it ’ s probably not worth spending so much money on an OLED screen .
But if you need the combination of the high resolution and the high-powered specs , the Aero 15 is for you .
You can configure the XPS 15 with up to an eight-core Core i7 processor , Nvidia ’ s GTX 1650 Ti graphics , and a 3840 x 2400 touchscreen .
Those specs are overkill for most people , but they ’ re ideal for anyone who needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with Adobe Premiere .
We recommend that anyone who ’ s just browsing and streaming go for the 1920 x 1200 screen and a Core i5 , which will save you significant money .
( We also experienced some heat management issues and disappointing battery life with the i7 unit . )
The XPS 15 isn ’ t a serious gaming rig , but the GTX 1650 Ti can help out with creative tasks .
Our model was able to export a five-minute , 33-second video in Adobe Premiere Pro in just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is faster than we got with the 16-inch MacBook Pro .
If you ’ re looking for a large , attractive Windows laptop that packs decent power , this is the one for you .
AMD rewrote the rules of gaming laptops with its debut in the Zephyrus G14 , but it ’ s made a splash in the budget gaming range as well with the G5 15 SE .
This laptop ran every popular title we threw at it at very playable frame rates — and the games looked great on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( You can choose a 60Hz panel as well ) .
The Radeon RX 5600M GPU gets a boost from AMD ’ s SmartShift feature , which pushes power between the CPU and GPU depending on where it ’ s needed .
For times when you ’ re not gaming , the G5 also makes a good daily driver .
It does a great job with graphically intensive work as well as general multitasking , and the fans stayed quiet throughout our testing .
And there ’ s a better port selection than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this price point , including an SD card reader , an audio jack , two USB 2.0 Type-A , a Mini DisplayPort , HDMi 2.0 , a USB 3.2 Gen 1 , an Ethernet , and a USB-C with DisplayPort .
Ultimately , the G5 15 SE delivers outstanding performance for its price , and is the budget gaming rig to beat .
The XPS 17 is a workstation for professionals who need a huge screen and huge power .
Its 17-inch 3840 x 2400 display allows you room to comfortably work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s also bright enough to use for outdoor work without much obtrusive glare .
It contains H-series Intel processors , and can be configured with discrete RTX GPUs — our model had an RTX 2060 Max Q .
That system flew through gaming benchmarks and complex video work — and didn ’ t burn itself up in the process , thanks to a new cooling system from Dell that includes a chassis-wide vapor chamber .
Best of all , those specs and screen manage to function without decimating the XPS ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 97Wh brick ) was able to last a full work day .

We test a wide variety of laptops each year here at The Verge, and many of them are very good. But you can’t buy them all. So to help with your purchasing decisions I’ve done the very difficult (very difficult, trust me) task here of selecting 15 of the most exceptional devices out there for this Best Laptop of 2023 page. Whether you’re looking for a Chromebook, a gaming laptop, a 2-in-1 convertible, an ultralight notebook, or something that’s a little bit of each, I’ve got multiple options for you here. These aren’t necessarily the best laptops of all time, but they are, in my opinion, the best laptops you can buy right now.
My current pick for the best laptop of 2023 is the MacBook Air. It’s a device that does just about everything right. While it’s certainly not perfect, there are no major flaws. It’s a great pick for productivity, browsing, and even light gaming.
It's getting harder to buy a bad laptop, but what separates the best laptops from good laptops is how they balance power, efficiency, portability, and comfort. The top laptop should have a fantastic keyboard and trackpad — after all, those are the two biggest reasons you'd choose a laptop over a smartphone or tablet. Its display should be easy on the eyes, bright, and sharp enough that you aren't distracted by jagged edges and visible pixels. It should be powerful enough for most anything short of intensive video editing and advanced gaming. It should be easy to carry around from place to place, and it should be able to last all day without needing to be plugged in.
Our other picks for the best laptops, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1s include the the MacBook Pro 16 and the HP Spectre x360 14. Check out the full list of best laptop picks below or our roundup of the best gaming laptops, if you’re looking for a powerful machine that doesn’t sacrifice portability.
What we’re looking for Value: Price is a very important factor in evaluating devices for this page. We’re seeking laptops that offer great value for their asking price, and that are the best of the best compared to other laptops in their price category. The more expensive a device, the more exceptional it has to be to make it on here. Performance: We want laptops with enough power to accommodate their target audience. An ultraportable laptop should be able to handle a standard office workload without excessive heat or fan noise. A gaming laptop should run today’s popular games. Screen: We like displays that are color-accurate and bright. Design: We’re looking for laptops with a solid, durable build that can handle a standard amount of briefcase wear-and-tear. Battery life: Battery life is much more important in some categories than it is in others. That said, in general, we assume that most shoppers are choosing a laptop over a desktop because they value some ability to work away from a plug. Battery life gives a user more freedom and makes a device more reliable for travel, so we consider it here. Port selection: The more ports, the better. We try to keep our picks as current as possible, but we may include an older device over its newer generation if we feel that the newer generation is a significant downgrade. We rarely recommend devices that are more than two years old.
1. Apple MacBook Air (M2)
The best laptop of 2023
MacBook Air with M2 (2022) $ 949 $ 1199 21 % off $ 949 $ 949 $ 1199 21 % off The redesigned MacBook Air is a thin, lightweight device powered by Apple’s latest chip. The M2 model also touts a 1080p webcam and a better display than its predecessor, while retaining features like long battery life and MagSafe charging. $1099 at Apple$949 at Best Buy
CPU: M2 / GPU: M2/ RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 24GB / Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB / Display: 13.6-inch IPS display, 2560 x 1664, 60Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches / Weight: 2.7 pounds
The latest MacBook Air, powered by Apple’s M2 processor, is the best laptop for most people.
The base model, which includes 8GB of memory, 256GB of storage, an 8-core CPU, and an 8-core GPU, starts at $1,199. A model with 512GB of storage, which is what we recommend for most people and will let you keep using the laptop for longer, costs $1,399.
The Air has lost the wedge-shape design that was its calling card for years but retains many of the other excellent features of years past, including MagSafe charging, Touch ID, and the scissor-switch keyboard, and adds a new 1080p webcam and two new color options.
The Apple MacBook Air is the best laptop of 2023. Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge
The M2 processor inside isn’t as fast or powerful as the M1 Pro or M1 Max you get in the larger (and more expensive) MacBook Pro models, but it’s still mighty fast. In our testing, it was able to handle intense office workloads with little to no heat or slowdown. Given how thin and light this device is, it delivers a combination of power and portability that you’ll be hard-pressed to find in many other machines out there.
The M2 Air didn’t give us quite as much battery life as the 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook did in our rundown testing, but we would still expect it to last most people a full day of continuous use.
Apple is continuing to sell the M1 MacBook Air, which was released in 2020. If the M2 MacBook Air is out of your price range, we recommend that you consider the M1 model.
Read our MacBook Air review.
2. MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch)
The best Macbook for creators
CPU: M1 Pro, M1 Max / GPU: M1 Pro, M1 Max / RAM: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 96GB/ Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB / Display: 14.2/16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 3024 x 1964/3456 x 2234, adaptive refresh up to 120Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61/14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches / Weight: 3.5/4.7 pounds (M2 Pro), 3.6/4.8 pounds (M2 Max)
It may be confusing to see both the 2021 MacBook Pro models (with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips) and the 2023 MacBook Pro models (with the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips) on this list. The 2023 models are more powerful devices — but because of their high price, they’re also more niche devices, and we recommend them mostly to professionals who need every ounce of power. We see the 2021 models, which can now be found at much lower prices, as better purchases for a more mainstream audience. That’s why they’re higher on this list.
In our benchmarks, which test a variety of creative tasks including encoding, playback, and export time, the MacBook Pro 16 did better than any laptop we’ve ever used — the only other machines that have come close to matching this thing in some of our benchmarks are high-end desktop PCs. The battery life is also record-shattering. The 16-inch configuration with the M1 Pro processor lasted 16 hours in my testing — making it the longest-lasting laptop we’ve ever reviewed. (The M1 Max configuration doesn’t last quite as long, but still got us through a work day.)
Elsewhere, we have basically no complaints about the 2021 MacBook Pro. It has a gorgeous display that can reach 1,000 nits when playing HDR content. It pairs that with the best set of speakers we’ve ever heard from a laptop. And these Pro models can output to multiple external displays, while the Air is limited to one.
If you’re looking for a machine that can accommodate a demanding workload while also serving as an excellent multimedia device when you’re off the clock, you’ll likely be satisfied with what the M1 Pro and M1 Max can do.
If you’re a creative professional who doesn’t quite want to pay the price of the MacBook Pro 16, or you’re looking for something more compact, you’re probably better suited to the 14-inch MacBook Pro. This device is smaller, lighter, and less expensive than its 16-inch counterpart, but it comes with the same monstrous processor options and the same stellar screen.
We didn’t see much of a difference in benchmark scores between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBooks with the same processors — the 14-incher actually outperformed the 16-inchers in some of our tests. The primary difference to consider, apart from the sizes of these devices, is battery life. The 16-inch chassis allows for a significantly bigger battery, and the 16-inch M1 Pro model lasted several hours longer than the 14-inch M1 Pro model did in our testing.
Read our MacBook Pro 14 and 16 review.
3. Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 14
The best dual-screen laptop
CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H / GPU: Nvidia Geforce RTX 4050, RTX 4060 / RAM: 32GB / Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB / Display: 14.5-inch OLED, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz + 12.7-inch IPS, 2880 x 864, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 12.74 x 8.85 x 0.7 inches/ Weight: 3.86 pounds
Finally, there is a dual-screen laptop we can actually recommend buying. In the past, the dual-screen form factor has felt gimmicky, difficult to see, and difficult to use. But in the Zenbook Duo 14, Asus has angled the screen significantly higher than before, made it higher resolution, and given it an anti-glare etching that’s made it actually useful.
The Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 14 OLED has not one, but two high-resolution screens. Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge
Using Asus’s ScreenXpert software, Zenbook Pro Duo users essentially have a small, crisp secondary OLED monitor on their keyboard deck. This second screen can also be turned into a giant touchpad (which is helpful since the actual touchpad the device comes with is pretty tiny. The device also comes with high-performance chips from Intel and Nvidia, and a roomy 16:10 primary screen. While the keyboard-in-the-front layout won’t be for everyone, this innovative device is the best choice for shoppers who want multiple screens in one.
Read our Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED review.
4. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The best gaming laptop
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 $ 1900 The ROG Zephyrus G14 is an astonishingly powerful gaming laptop. Its AMD Ryzen 9 processor and GeForce RTX 3060 can push powerful, smooth graphics performance in games with its QHD display while also being surprisingly efficient for other tasks. $1900 at Best Buy
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS / GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6700S / RAM: 8GB / Storage: 1TB / Display: 14-inch IPS, 2560 x 1600, 120Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 12.28 x 8.94 x 0.73/ Weight: 3.64 pounds
You want to be careful with this one, because some of the models are too expensive for what they offer. Make sure that you’re buying the $1,649.99 SKU with the 6700S GPU. We feel that this model, specifically, is the best 14-inch gaming laptop you can buy. It’s a perfectly portable device at just 3.79 pounds and 0.77 inches thick, and it comes with a great keyboard, touchpad, port selection, and screen. The frame rates it produced in our testing were solid, and we didn’t see a huge difference in performance between the 6700S and 6800S models. And we got all-day battery life, which you don’t see in gaming laptops every day.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is the lightweight gaming laptop to buy. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
If you are interested in having an animated grid of colored lights on your computer, you can also pay more for a model that has Asus’s AniMe Matrix. We don’t think these models offer particularly good value for their price, but they do have some cute benefits – you can customize them to display words or images of your choice, and there’s a virtual pet on it that you can play with.
Read our Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review.
5. Asus Chromebook Flip CX5
The best Chromebook
CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 / GPU: Intel Iris Xe / RAM: 16GB / Storage: 128GB / Display: 15.6-inch IPS, 1920 x 1080, 60Hz / Dimensions: 14.08 x 9.48 x 0.73/ Weight: 4.3 pounds
Asus surprised us with its Chromebook Flip CX5, a gorgeous $800 laptop that happens to run Chrome OS. It’s as sturdy and well-built as all kinds of Windows laptops at higher price points, and sports a unique smooth texture. It includes fully-fledged laptop specs, including a 57Wh battery, which provide speedy performance, long battery life, and quick charging.
The Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 is a massive, powerful Chromebook. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales
You get all kinds of ports, including an HDMI and a microSD slot. The speakers sound great, and the keyboard is comfortable. Asus hasn’t skimped on CX5’s chassis or its performance — it’s absolutely the product to buy if you’re looking for a Chromebook with a big screen.
Read our Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 review.
6. MacBook Pro 16 (M2 Pro and M2 Max)
Best video editing laptop
CPU: M2 Pro, M2 Max / GPU: M2 Pro, M2 Max / RAM: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 96GB / Storage: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB / Display: 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 3456 x 2234, adaptive refresh up to 120Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches / Weight: 4.7 pounds (M2 Pro), 4.8 pounds (M2 Max)
If you’re a professional with a heavy workload looking for the best in power, graphics, and battery life that Apple has to offer, you want the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple’s brand-new M2 Pro or M2 Max. It won’t come cheap – models start at $2,499 – but it is one of the most powerful and longest-lasting laptops you can buy. To reiterate, we believe that most creators should go for a discounted M1 Pro or M1 Max laptop over this one — the newest M2 Pro and M2 Max are best for the most deep-pocketed of power users.
The 2023 MacBook Pro looks very similar to the 2021 MacBook Pro, with the same camera notch, the same port selection (including MagSafe charging), and the same exceptional speaker system.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is a good option for power users. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
In testing, we’ve found that the M2 Max provides several additional hours of battery life over the M1 Max that powered the 2021 MacBook Pro 16. The M2 Max also has more multicore and single-core CPU power, and a lot more graphic power, than the M1 Max did. That won’t make a difference for standard home and office tasks, but can save you some time if your occupation requires a really powerful PC.
For more guidance on which M2 MacBook to buy, we’ve got a video breaking down the M2 lineup.
Read our MacBook Pro 16 review.
7. MacBook Air 15
The best 15-inch laptop
CPU: M2 / GPU: M2 / RAM: 16GB, 16GB, 24GB / Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB / Display: 15.3-inch IPS display, 2880 x 1864, 60Hz no touch option / Dimensions: 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches / Weight: 3.3 pounds
The MacBook Pro 15 is the 15-inch laptop that a lot of people have been waiting for. It’s got a large, gorgeous screen, but it’s much lighter and less expensive than the 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are currently available. It has the same M2 chip that powers the 13-inch MacBook Air further up this list, but its larger chassis allows for a bit of extra cooling (and therefore, slightly more performance). For those who like the portability of the 13-inch MacBook Air but want more screen space to work with, the Air 15 is the option.
The MacBook Air 16 is a lightweight, big-screen laptop. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The 15-inch Air does have a few compromises that the 14-inch and 16-inch Pro don’t. Most importantly, its port selection is limited to two USB-C Thunderbolt, one MagSafe, and one headphone jack, and all but the headphone jack are crammed onto the left side. It also only supports one external display, which is a frustrating limitation for some. Nevertheless, as a more affordable and portable option than Apple’s other big-screen offerings, the Air will still be the best choice for a lot of people.
Read our MacBook Air 15 review.
8. Framework Laptop
A repairable laptop for DIYers
Framework Laptop 13 $ 849 The Framework Laptop 13 is the best laptop for those who want full control of their experience. Everything from the processor and RAM to the keyboard and bezels is user-upgradeable. $849 at Framework
CPU: Intel Core i5-1340P/i7-1360P/17-1370P, AMD Ryzen 7 7840U / GPU: Intel UHD/Iris Xe, Radeon 700M / RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB / Storage: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB / Display: 13.5 inch IPS, 2256 x 1540, 60Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 11.68 x 9.01 x 0.62 inches / Weight: 2.87 pounds
If you want a 13-inch laptop that you can configure and assemble yourself, from the ground up, the Framework Laptop 13 is pretty much your only option. The Framework is a modular laptop that users can repair and upgrade over the length of their ownership. Everything from the RAM, to the storage, to even the processor can be upgraded down the line. The company has even come out with upgrades for parts like speakers and hinges that you can install yourself. Not only can you buy it as a prebuilt system, but you can also order it as a DIY kit, allowing you to assemble the entire thing yourself and swap out parts as you please.
Repairability aside, the Framework has a number of laudable features as a laptop itself. The display is bright and high-resolution, the speakers are great, and the chassis is quite portable, coming in at under three pounds. The 3:2 aspect ratio provides a lot of room to work, and still a somewhat rare find on today’s market.
The Framework Laptop 13 is one of very few 13-inch laptops with this degree of repairability. Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge
That said, I won’t pretend that this is the best 13-inch laptop you can buy; on its own merits, it is an unremarkable system with a somewhat generic look and plasticky build, particularly compared to others in its price category. Nevertheless, the Framework’s standout feature is the unprecedented access it allows its users to replace and repair its parts. We’d love to see more companies make that kind of commitment to sustainable design.
Read our Framework Laptop 13 review.
9. Dell XPS 13
The best Windows laptop
Dell XPS 13 $ 999 Dell’s XPS 13 is the ultimate execution on the traditional thin-and-light clamshell laptop design. It’s sleek and compact, has a great keyboard and trackpad, and has excellent performance. $999 at Dell
CPU: Intel Core i7-1250U / GPU: Intel Iris Xe / RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB / Storage: 512GB, 1TB / Display: 13.4 inch IPS, 1920 x 1200, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 11.63 x 7.86 x 0.55 inches / Weight: 2.59 pounds
The Dell XPS 13 is a compact and reliable laptop. Its beautiful chassis, excellent 16:10 display, and great performance make it an excellent choice for general-purpose users. At well under three pounds and just over half an inch thick, it’s a dream for travel and on-the-go work.
The specs of our test unit (a Core i5 configuration) were just fine for the work tasks I needed to do. I do recommend using the Silent cooling profile if you don’t need heavyweight performance, as the fans get going very easily on this model.
The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops of 2023. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
There is also a fancier Dell XPS 13 Plus available for purchase, which includes all kinds of new features the XPS 13 doesn’t have including an OLED display option, borderless haptic touchpad, and LED touch function keys, as well as a more powerful P-series processor. I don’t recommend that model over this one for most people, but it’s worth looking into if you want something a bit funkier with a higher-resolution screen.
Read our Dell XPS 13 review.
10. Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED
The best OLED laptop
CPU: Intel Core i7-1355U / GPU: Intel Iris Xe / RAM: 32GB / Storage: 1TB / Display: 13.3-inch OLED, 2880 x 1800, 60Hz, no touch option / Dimensions: 11.66 x 8.52 x 0.43 inches / Weight: 2.2 pounds
If your top priority is a lightweight laptop with an excellent screen, look no further than the Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED. Powered by Intel’s new 13th-Gen processors, it’s an astonishingly lightweight device with a neat, unique design. The lid doesn’t pick up fingerprints, which is a very rare thing to be able to say about dark laptops.
In addition to its compact build, the Zenbook S 13 has a solid port selection including HDMI 2.1, USB-A, and multiple Thunderbolt ports. The OLED display is sharp and roomy, and looks quite nice.
The Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED is the best laptop you can buy with a 13-inch OLED screen. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The Intel processor in my test model did an excellent job with my multitasking workload. It can get loud while completing heavier tasks like gaming, but a built-in Whisper Mode will keep it quiet during everyday productivity work (which is the sort of workload this device is best suited for).
Read our Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED review.
11. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
The best laptop under $400
CPU: Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 / GPU: Qualcomm Adreno graphics/ RAM: 4Gb, 8GB / Storage: 128GB / Display: 10.95-inch IPS, 2000 x 1200, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 10.16 x 6.48 x 0.31 inches / Weight: 1.14 pounds
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a great, tiny laptop for budget shoppers. It comes with a magnetic detachable keyboard that’s a breeze to pop on and off. The screen also supports USI styluses, though a stylus is not included in the price. The keyboard is included in the price, however, as is the magnetic back cover and kickstand.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a great option for anyone shopping on a tight budget. Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge
Day-to-day, this laptop is quite usable for light work and leisure. It has a sharp, bright 11-inch screen and a surprisingly comfortable keyboard and touchpad. The battery life is close to all-day. But the real draw of this device is its portability — it’s just 2.09 pounds with the keyboard attached, making it quite convenient to carry around and whip out to use on the go.
Read our Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 review.
12. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (13.5-inch)
A lower-cost thin and light option
CPU: Intel Core i5 1235U, Core i7-1255U / GPU: Intel Iris Xe / RAM: 8GB, 16GB / Storage: 256GB, 512GB / Display: 13.5-inch IPS, 2256 x 1504, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.8 x .57 inches / Weight: 2.8 pounds
The Surface Laptop 5 looks and feels quite similar to last year’s Surface Laptop 4. Like its predecessor, the Laptop 5 is thin, light, and well built, with Microsoft’s signature elegant style. Newly this year, the Laptop 5 supports Thunderbolt 4 — but unlike last year, there are only Intel models, with no AMD ones available.
The Surface Laptop 5 is a thin and light work machine. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Inside, the 12th-Gen processors delivery satisfactory performance, particularly single-core tasks. We felt no heat or fan noise during our testing, which was remarkable considering the device’s thin profile. Our tasks looked quite sharp on the 3:2, 13-inch display as well. Our primary complaint was the battery life, which is okay, but not amazing, and a decrease from last year’s results.
Read our Surface Laptop 5 review.
13. Razer Blade 16
The best laptop for AAA gaming
CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX, Core i9-13950HX / GPU: Nvidia Geforce RTX 4060, RTX 4070, RTX 4080, RTX 4090 / RAM: 16GB, 32GB / Storage: 1TB / Display: 16-inch Mini-LED, Dual UHD/FHD+, 120Hz/240Hz / Dimensions: 13.98 x 9.61 x 0.87 inches / Weight: 5.4 pounds
The Razer Blade 16 is an incredible purchase for gamers with very, very deep pockets. Equipped with top-end chips from Nvidia and Intel, it can run most of today’s’ most demanding games at their highest settings with all the effects you want. Add Razer’s signature suave chassis and fun (but unobtrusive) RGB keyboard, and there’s little to complain about.
But it’s not just the performance that stands out — games also look great. The Blade comes with an optional Mini LED screen. Not only does the panel deliver rich and vivid colors, but it also has a dual-mode feature that allows you to swap between native UDH Plus /120Hz and FHD Plus/240Hz modes with one click.
The Razer Blade 16 is the premium gaming laptop to buy. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
You don’t need to spend this much on a gaming laptop in order to get a good gaming experience, as some of the entries earlier on this list prove. But if you’re looking for the best performance and best display you can squeeze out of the 16-inch form factor, this is the choice for you. It’s a luxury gaming experience for a luxury price.
Read our Razer Blade 16 review.
14. HP Dragonfly Pro
The best business laptop
HP Elite Dragonfly Pro $ 1550 The HP Elite Dragonfly Pro is one of the best business laptops for freelancers and self-employed customers. It performs quite well and comes with extra service. $1550 at HP
CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U, AMD Ryzen 77736U / GPU: Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon/ RAM: 16GB, 32GB / Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / Display: 14-inch IPS, 1920 x 1200/2560 x 1600, 60Hz, touch option / Dimensions: 12.39 x 8.78 x 0.72 inches / Weight: 3.42 pounds
While part of HP’s Dragonfly business line, the Dragonfly Pro isn’t being sold to IT departments — it’s tailored to self-employed individuals and freelance workers. It’s powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series, and its performance rivaled that of the M2 MacBook Pro in our testing. Battery life, while not quite M2-level, was enough to power through a full day unplugged. There’s little to object to among the other features as well. The speakers sound good, the webcam delivers a detailed picture, the keyboard is comfortable, and the screen is quite bright. In typical HP fashion, the chassis is quite well built with a sleek and professional look.
The HP Dragonfly Pro is the best business laptop you can buy. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The Dragonfly Pro comes with an optional 24/7 live support service, which you can access via a hotkey on the right side of the keyboard. It’s included with the first year, and then it’s $10.99 per month. This isn’t something we think most people will need, but if you’re interested in having access to that sort of program, this is the laptop for you.
15. HP Spectre x360 13.5
The best convertible Windows laptop
CPU: Intel Core i5 1235U, Core i7 1255U, Core i7-1355U / GPU: Intel UHD, Iris Xe / RAM: 8GB, 16GB / Storage: 512GB, 1TB / Display: 13.5-inch IPS, 60Hz, 1920 x 1280/OLED, 3000 x 2000, touch option / Dimensions: 11.75 x 8.67 x 0.67 inches / Weight: 3.01 pounds
The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is a drop-dead gorgeous machine with a sturdy build and a premium look and feel. It’s got a roomy 3:2 OLED screen with adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz that’s vivid, crisp, and bright. You also get a comfortable keyboard, clear and bass-heavy audio, and a practical port selection. (There are even ports on the corners.) HP ships it with a number of webcam features via its GlamCam package, which you can use to “glam” your video calling experience if that is of interest.
Performance (on the unit we received) was quite speedy, and was cool and quiet throughout much of our day-to-day testing. If you’re looking for a sleek and beautiful device, you should look no further than HP’s Spectre line.
The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is one of the best convertible laptops you can buy — but it has a few compromises to be aware of. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
This machine comes with a couple major caveats, however. First, the battery life is not great. We averaged between four and five hours of continuous use. That’s not necessarily unexpected given the screen’s high resolution and refresh rate, but it will still make the Spectre an impractical buy for some people. We’d expect many of the laptops that are higher on this list to last at least a couple hours longer to a charge.
The other thing to note is that this package doesn’t come cheap. Many customers will find better battery life and similar performance in any number of less expensive products. The Spectre is worth a splurge only if you really need a 2-in-1 convertible (a form factor that’s become much harder to find these days), if battery life isn’t a priority for you, and if you value beauty and craftsmanship above all else.
Read our HP Spectre x360 14 review.
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theverge--2020-10-30--Budget roundup: the latest low-cost cameras

These days , most of us tend to use our smartphone cameras for our full-time photographing needs rather than buy a separate product .
After all , even lower-end cameras such as Google ’ s Pixel 4A or Apple ’ s iPhone SE both boast cameras that are as good as , if not better than , many of their more expensive peers .
So why bother with a regular camera ?
Well , possibly because some people simply like having a separate camera .
Some cameras , such as the GoPro , allow you to take photos in circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others offer more special features .
If you ’ re really serious about your photography , however , you ’ re going to be spending upward of $ 1,500 or more — way more — and that ’ s something that isn ’ t in everyone ’ s budget .
What follows are reviews we ’ ve done of cameras costing about $ 500 or less .
These may not be the high-end devices , but they will provide you with features and abilities that your smartphone may not .
And just for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of some smartphone cameras as well .
GoPro has been the industry standard for action cameras for over 15 years .
It wasn ’ t until a few years ago that brands such as DJI and Insta360 began making action cameras with more features that challenged GoPro ’ s lead .
This year , though , GoPro has created by far its most powerful action camera to date .
The GoPro Hero 9 is more robust in almost every way : bigger battery , bigger body , bigger video and photo resolutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brings the instant camera back to its basics The Instax Square SQ1 is a large , plastic , square box that captures and prints images onto Fujifilm ’ s square film .
It is the successor of the Instax Square SQ6 that was released in 2018 .
Instead of adding more tech , such as the screen and Bluetooth pairing it added to the Instax Mini LiPlay last year , Fujifilm made the SQ1 as simple as possible .
Polaroid Originals has reclaimed the classic Polaroid brand .
And to celebrate , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Polaroid Now .
Like the OneStep 2 and the OneStep Plus , this model works with I-Type film ( the type of film that the Impossible Project reverse-engineered from Polaroid ’ s factory and continues to make ) .
And if you ’ re willing to pay a premium , it ’ ll work with the classic , battery-operated 600 format packs , too .
Pixel 4A vs. iPhone SE : battle of the budget cameras Thanks to smartphones , taking great photos no longer requires learning a camera system , image @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of photography .
In this episode of our YouTube series Full Frame , video director Becca Farsace put the top two cameras you can buy for under $ 400 to the test .
It ’ s an all-out camera battle between the $ 350 Pixel 4A and the $ 400 iPhone SE in NYC .

These days, most of us tend to use our smartphone cameras for our full-time photographing needs rather than buy a separate product. After all, even lower-end cameras such as Google’s Pixel 4A or Apple’s iPhone SE both boast cameras that are as good as, if not better than, many of their more expensive peers. So why bother with a regular camera?
Well, possibly because some people simply like having a separate camera. Some cameras, such as the GoPro, allow you to take photos in circumstances too rough for a phone, while others offer more special features. If you’re really serious about your photography, however, you’re going to be spending upward of $1,500 or more — way more — and that’s something that isn’t in everyone’s budget.
What follows are reviews we’ve done of cameras costing about $500 or less. These may not be the high-end devices, but they will provide you with features and abilities that your smartphone may not. And just for fun, we’re including reviews of some smartphone cameras as well.
GoPro Hero 9 Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge
GoPro has been the industry standard for action cameras for over 15 years. It wasn’t until a few years ago that brands such as DJI and Insta360 began making action cameras with more features that challenged GoPro’s lead. This year, though, GoPro has created by far its most powerful action camera to date. The GoPro Hero 9 is more robust in almost every way: bigger battery, bigger body, bigger video and photo resolutions.
GoPro Hero 9 / More robust in almost every way: bigger battery, bigger body, bigger video and photo resolutions $399 on Amazon
The Instax Square SQ1 is a large, plastic, square box that captures and prints images onto Fujifilm’s square film. It is the successor of the Instax Square SQ6 that was released in 2018. Instead of adding more tech, such as the screen and Bluetooth pairing it added to the Instax Mini LiPlay last year, Fujifilm made the SQ1 as simple as possible.
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 / The successor of the Instax Square SQ6 $120 on Amazon
Polaroid Originals has reclaimed the classic Polaroid brand. And to celebrate, it released a new $99 camera called the Polaroid Now. Like the OneStep 2 and the OneStep Plus, this model works with I-Type film (the type of film that the Impossible Project reverse-engineered from Polaroid’s factory and continues to make). And if you’re willing to pay a premium, it’ll work with the classic, battery-operated 600 format packs, too.
Polaroid Now / Polaroid Originals reclaims the classic Polaroid brand $100 on Amazon
Apple’s iPhone SE and the Google Pixel 4A Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge
Thanks to smartphones, taking great photos no longer requires learning a camera system, image editing, and the ins and outs of photography. In this episode of our YouTube series Full Frame, video director Becca Farsace put the top two cameras you can buy for under $400 to the test. It’s an all-out camera battle between the $350 Pixel 4A and the $400 iPhone SE in NYC.
Google Pixel 4A / Google’s new budget Android phone $350 on Amazon


theverge--2020-10-31--Sean Connery, star of the James Bond films, dies at 90

Sean Connery , the Scottish actor who brought James Bond to the silver screen as part of a four-decade career , has died at 90 , the BBC reported .
Connery played Ian Fleming ’ s 007 spy in seven films , starting with Dr. No in 1962 , a role he got without taking a screen test , according to Variety .
He reprised the role in From Russia With Love , Goldfinger , Thunderball , You Only Live Twice , Diamonds are Forever , and Never Say Never Again .
Connery died in his sleep in the Bahamas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been in poor health for some time .
Over the course of his prolific career , Connery won an Oscar— Best Supporting Actor for the 1987 film The Untouchables— and three Golden Globe awards .
His filmography also includes star turns in The Man Who Would Be King , The Hunt for Red October , Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , and The Rock .
Connery used his stature as an international movie star to push for the re-establishment of a Scottish parliament , and addressed the first session of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knighted by Queen Elizabeth at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh in 2000 .
He is survived by his second wife , painter Micheline Roquebrune , his son Jason Connery , and a grandson .

Sean Connery, the Scottish actor who brought James Bond to the silver screen as part of a four-decade career, has died at 90, the BBC reported. Connery played Ian Fleming’s 007 spy in seven films, starting with Dr. No in 1962, a role he got without taking a screen test, according to Variety. He reprised the role in From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds are Forever, and Never Say Never Again.
Connery died in his sleep in the Bahamas, according to the BBC, and had been in poor health for some time.
Over the course of his prolific career, Connery won an Oscar— Best Supporting Actor for the 1987 film The Untouchables— and three Golden Globe awards. His filmography also includes star turns in The Man Who Would Be King, The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and The Rock.
Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said in a statement they were devastated at the news of Connery’s passing. “He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words — ‘The name’s Bond... James Bond’”
Connery was born in Edinburgh in 1930 and dropped out of school at 13, joining the Royal Navy, according to NPR.
He told ABC’s Barbara Walters in 1987 that his life changed with a trip to London in the mid-1950s, where he went to appear in the Mr. Universe bodybuilding competition.
“When I went to London for [the competition], one of the guys, he was in [a show] ‘South Pacific,’ he said, ‘Do you want to do a show?’” he recalled. “He told me it was £12, £14 a week, which was suddenly, ‘Oh, that sounded [nice].’ It was only two hours a day. I said, ‘I’ll have a go at that.’”
During a 1965 interview with Playboy magazine, Connery made remarks that it was OK to hit a woman to keep her in line. He later apologized for the comment, according to The Washington Post.
Connery used his stature as an international movie star to push for the re-establishment of a Scottish parliament, and addressed the first session of the reconvened body in 1999. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh in 2000.
He is survived by his second wife, painter Micheline Roquebrune, his son Jason Connery, and a grandson.


theverge--2020-10-31--League of Legends spinoff Ruined King will launch on consoles in ‘early 2021’

Ruined King : A League of Legends Story , the upcoming single-player League of Legends spinoff that will see the franchise debut on consoles for the first time , has released its first ( albeit , vague ) bits of information .
It ’ ll launch sometime in “ early 2021 ” on Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , Steam , and the Epic Games Store at launch , with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S versions set to follow shortly after .
( PS4 and Xbox One players will be able to upgrade for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a release window , Riot Forge also announced some additional details on what Ruined King will actually be : a single-player , turn-based RPG set in the Bilgewater and Shadow Isles regions of Runeterra ( the planet on which League of Legends is set ) .
The company also revealed the roster of League of Legends champions who ’ ll appear as playable characters in Ruined King : Miss Fortune , Illaoi , Braum , Yasuo , Ahri , and Pyke .
There ’ s still no look at actual gameplay yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on Ruined King in December .
The release will be the first game from Riot Games ’ new indie publishing label , Riot Forge , which was announced last year as part of a new initiative to partner with other developers to expand the League of Legends universe into new games and genres .
Along with Ruined King — developed by Airship Syndicate , the team behind Darksiders Genesis — Riot Forge is also working on Convergence , developed by Double Stallion Games , which will also be out for consoles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a release date .
That ’ s all in addition to the other League of Legends titles that Riot is working on itself , like its collectible card game Legends of Runeterra ( released earlier in 2020 ) , League of Legends : Wild Rift ( a mobile game that ports the popular MOBA gameplay of the original PC game to Android and iOS ) , an animated series , and a fighting game .

Ruined King: A League of Legends Story, the upcoming single-player League of Legends spinoff that will see the franchise debut on consoles for the first time, has released its first (albeit, vague) bits of information. It’ll launch sometime in “early 2021” on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and the Epic Games Store at launch, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S versions set to follow shortly after. (PS4 and Xbox One players will be able to upgrade for free.)
Along with news of a release window, Riot Forge also announced some additional details on what Ruined King will actually be: a single-player, turn-based RPG set in the Bilgewater and Shadow Isles regions of Runeterra (the planet on which League of Legends is set). The company also revealed the roster of League of Legends champions who’ll appear as playable characters in Ruined King: Miss Fortune, Illaoi, Braum, Yasuo, Ahri, and Pyke.
There’s still no look at actual gameplay yet, but Riot Forge is already promising more information on Ruined King in December.
The release will be the first game from Riot Games’ new indie publishing label, Riot Forge, which was announced last year as part of a new initiative to partner with other developers to expand the League of Legends universe into new games and genres.
Along with Ruined King — developed by Airship Syndicate, the team behind Darksiders Genesis — Riot Forge is also working on Convergence, developed by Double Stallion Games, which will also be out for consoles and PCs, although it has yet to get a release date.


theverge--2020-10-31--Best Buy’s three-day sale on OLED TVs, headphones, and more ends Saturday

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
Saturday is your last chance to get in on Best Buy ’ s multi-day sale , but don ’ t worry if you miss out .
Black Friday is a few weeks away , and this year , retailers are offering very good sale prices almost every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll be putting them in deal posts for you to check out .
What follows are the best deals that have made the rounds on The Verge earlier this week , as well as some new inclusions we think you ’ ll enjoy .
Sony ’ s WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling headphones come recommended if you want a comfy over-ear model with excellent sound quality and long-lasting battery life .
Normally $ 350 , they ’ re down to $ 278 .
This matches the lowest price yet .
There are some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OLED TVs at Best Buy .
Their design and feature set vary slightly , but with both you ’ ll get great picture quality and rich contrast .
They ’ re still very expensive compared to LED TVs , but it ’ s a good investment if you watch a lot of movies and play games .
Both TVs have HDMI 2.1 , so they can display compatible PS5 and Xbox Series X games at 4K resolution and up to a 120Hz refresh rate .
If having a bigger TV is more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Samsung ’ s 70-inch 4K TV is just $ 530 at Best Buy through Saturday .
Amazon discounted most of its Echo and Fire TV devices earlier this week , and those deals are still going strong .
You should definitely expect most of these to remain somewhat constant throughout the holiday shopping season .
But if you want to shop early , here are the standout deals from its sale .
• The new Fire TV Stick Lite with Alexa remote is $ 18 ( usually $ 30 ) .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• You can bump it up to 4K resolution for just a few bucks more with the Fire TV Stick 4K at $ 30 , down from its usual $ 50 price .
• The Echo Dot ( previous generation ) smart speaker is $ 19 , which is actually the lowest price we ’ ve seen yet , beating the previous best deal by $ 2 .
• The eight-inch Echo Show 8 is down to $ 65 , a 50-percent drop from its regular price .
It includes a free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Echo Buds wireless earbuds are $ 80 , which is $ 50 off and matches the lowest price yet .
These come with a six-month free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited .
• The small , plug-in Echo Flex speaker is $ 15 off , bringing it down to $ 10 .

Saturday is your last chance to get in on Best Buy’s multi-day sale, but don’t worry if you miss out. Black Friday is a few weeks away, and this year, retailers are offering very good sale prices almost every day. Wherever those deals come from, we’ll be putting them in deal posts for you to check out. What follows are the best deals that have made the rounds on The Verge earlier this week, as well as some new inclusions we think you’ll enjoy.
Sony’s WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling headphones come recommended if you want a comfy over-ear model with excellent sound quality and long-lasting battery life. Normally $350, they’re down to $278. This matches the lowest price yet.
Sony WH-1000XM4 (refurbished) $ 202 $ 350 42 % off $ 202 $ 202 $ 350 42 % off Sony’s WH-1000XM4 improve on the previous generation with automatic pausing when you remove them, as well as multipoint Bluetooth connections. They have the same great sound quality and a very effective noise-cancellation effect. $202 at eBay
There are some big discounts happening on LG and Vizio OLED TVs at Best Buy. Their design and feature set vary slightly, but with both you’ll get great picture quality and rich contrast. They’re still very expensive compared to LED TVs, but it’s a good investment if you watch a lot of movies and play games. Both TVs have HDMI 2.1, so they can display compatible PS5 and Xbox Series X games at 4K resolution and up to a 120Hz refresh rate.
LG 55-inch CX OLED 4K TV $ 1350 $ 1700 21 % off $ 1350 $ 1350 $ 1700 21 % off LG’s 55-inch next-gen-ready CX OLED TV is a step above the entry-level BX model. One of the biggest differences is the CX’s support for 4K resolution at 120Hz via its HDMI 2.1 ports. $1350 at Best Buy
Vizio 55-inch OLED 4K TV H1 Series $ 1000 $ 1300 23 % off $ 1000 $ 1000 $ 1300 23 % off Vizio’s 55-inch OLED TV features 4K resolution, HDR10 Plus, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The H1 series uses the SmartCast streaming platform and is compatible with a wide variety of voice assistants. $1000 at Best Buy
Samsung
If having a bigger TV is more important than the kinds of features it has, Samsung’s 70-inch 4K TV is just $530 at Best Buy through Saturday.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
The Echo Show 8 has an eight-inch display and a camera for video chatting. Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge


theverge--2020-10-31--Woot is selling refurbished Pixelbook Go laptops that don’t have Google branding

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
Woot is selling a batch of refurbished Pixelbook Go laptops starting at $ 530 for the base model with an Intel Core m3 processor , 64GB of storage and an FHD touchscreen display ( usually $ 650 new ) , going up to $ 790 for the Core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16GB of RAM .
These have a 90-day warranty through Woot with the option available to extend coverage by a year with a SquareTrade protection plan .
And despite not being retail units , the seller says they will receive software updates through Google through June 2026 .
Woot doesn ’ t make claims about their physical condition , which it usually does for refurbished products .
As far as discounts go , the prices are good , though that isn ’ t the most interesting thing about these Chromebooks .
The laptops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is selling have been debranded .
As in , there aren ’ t any Google logos or naming on the device .
Instead — this is where it gets good — it has “ ProductName ” printed above the keyboard where it usually says “ Pixelbook Go.
” And on the top of the lid , where it usually shows the Google “ G , ” it ’ s completely gone on these refurbished models , with a different symbol replacing it like what appeared in this Pixelbook Go leak from before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Verge it didn ’ t supply these units , and it doesn ’ t know how Woot ended up with them , which I find to be pretty entertaining .
I don ’ t know about you , but I ’ ve never wanted one of these more than I do now .
It ’ s like having a laptop made expressly for a sitcom television show , with all of the brand names replaced by knock-off logos and names .
If you ’ re as drawn to this refurbished non-Google Pixelbook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check out Woot ’ s deal today .

Woot is selling a batch of refurbished Pixelbook Go laptops starting at $530 for the base model with an Intel Core m3 processor, 64GB of storage and an FHD touchscreen display (usually $650 new), going up to $790 for the Core i7 model with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. These have a 90-day warranty through Woot with the option available to extend coverage by a year with a SquareTrade protection plan. And despite not being retail units, the seller says they will receive software updates through Google through June 2026. Woot doesn’t make claims about their physical condition, which it usually does for refurbished products.
As far as discounts go, the prices are good, though that isn’t the most interesting thing about these Chromebooks. The laptops that Woot (owned by Amazon) is selling have been debranded. As in, there aren’t any Google logos or naming on the device. Instead — this is where it gets good — it has “ProductName” printed above the keyboard where it usually says “Pixelbook Go.” And on the top of the lid, where it usually shows the Google “G,” it’s completely gone on these refurbished models, with a different symbol replacing it like what appeared in this Pixelbook Go leak from before the laptop was actually released.
Google told The Verge it didn’t supply these units, and it doesn’t know how Woot ended up with them, which I find to be pretty entertaining. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never wanted one of these more than I do now. It’s like having a laptop made expressly for a sitcom television show, with all of the brand names replaced by knock-off logos and names.
If you’re as drawn to this refurbished non-Google Pixelbook Go as I am, you can check out Woot’s deal today.


theverge--2020-10-31--It’s Halloween, so here are some mischievous skeletons

Everyone focuses on what ’ s blowing up on TikTok , but here ’ s something that ’ s been getting a bit of attention over on Byte : some playful little skeletons .
Over the past month , designer Andre Zimmermann has been posting short looping clips of meddlesome skeletons getting into low-stakes hijinks , like running off with food from a table or knocking a plant off a ledge .
“ They sort of became these jerks , ” Zimmermann said .
“ Like a cat.
” They ’ re the furthest thing from spooky , but their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during what ’ s already a high-stress Halloween .
My favorite of Zimmermann ’ s not-quite-spooky animations shows a humanoid collection of skulls dancing to a looping disco track .
To make it , Zimmermann said he imported a motion-capture file of someone dancing , then set the skulls to follow their movements .
“ It ’ s just a man basically with skulls stuck to him , ” Zimmermann said .
Zimmermann has only been working with 3D art for three years .
He started making icons and customizations for Android home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and animations .
His projects all come together in his free time after work and take a day or two each .
The quick turnarounds are intentional , Zimmermann said , because it ’ s too easy for any given post to go unnoticed on social platforms .
“ Putting a lot of time into these long hard complex works doesn ’ t really pay off , ” he said .
He ’ d like to build up an audience — recently , he had some success on Instagram , where one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Byte , the view count is far lower , but the animations have been surfacing as part of the app ’ s “ Spooky Season ” section .
One element of Zimmermann ’ s animations that really pulls them together is the music .
That selection actually comes last in the process , he said .
Once the video is exported , he looks around to see what fits and what will loop properly , since he wants the clips to seem endless .
“ The length has to fit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that right away is not really something you can plan .
”

Everyone focuses on what’s blowing up on TikTok, but here’s something that’s been getting a bit of attention over on Byte: some playful little skeletons.
They’re the furthest thing from spooky, but their mischievous antics feel a bit more comforting during what’s already a high-stress Halloween.
My favorite of Zimmermann’s not-quite-spooky animations shows a humanoid collection of skulls dancing to a looping disco track. To make it, Zimmermann said he imported a motion-capture file of someone dancing, then set the skulls to follow their movements. “It’s just a man basically with skulls stuck to him,” Zimmermann said.
Zimmermann has only been working with 3D art for three years. He started making icons and customizations for Android home screens, then moved on to illustrations and animations. His projects all come together in his free time after work and take a day or two each.
The quick turnarounds are intentional, Zimmermann said, because it’s too easy for any given post to go unnoticed on social platforms. “Putting a lot of time into these long hard complex works doesn’t really pay off,” he said. He’d like to build up an audience — recently, he had some success on Instagram, where one of his skeleton posts got 1.6 million views. On Byte, the view count is far lower, but the animations have been surfacing as part of the app’s “Spooky Season” section.
One element of Zimmermann’s animations that really pulls them together is the music. That selection actually comes last in the process, he said. Once the video is exported, he looks around to see what fits and what will loop properly, since he wants the clips to seem endless.


theverge--2020-10-31--The Biden-Harris campaign has launched a ‘Build Back Better’ map in Fortnite

With just a few days to go before the November 3rd presidential election , former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s campaign has launched a new custom map in Fortnite .
First reported by Mashable , the “ Build Back Better with Biden ” map is located in “ Reboot City , ” and is aimed at promoting the campaign ’ s message that the environment and economy are connected .
The solo-player , adventure-type map takes about 20 to 30 minutes to play , and made its debut Friday night .
“ Our digital program is built around how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective ways reach them in those places , ” Christian Tom , the Biden campaign ’ s director of digital partnerships said in a statement to The Verge .
“ We see interactive , digital-first experiences like gaming as an opportunity to bring our campaign to a new place and platform.
” The custom Fortnite map is a “ substantive , approachable , and fun way to reach and mobilize voters , ” Tom added .
Signs around the map encourage players to visit makeaplan.com , and players can text “ Fortnite ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person , drop off a ballot , or vote on Election Day .
It ’ s not the Biden campaign ’ s first foray into the video game realm .
Earlier this month , the campaign launched a virtual Biden field office for voters to visit in Animal Crossing : New Horizons , “ an entire island on the platform where supporters can further connect with the campaign.
” And in September , the campaign introduced Biden-Harris yard signs in ACNH .
In the Fortnite map , after players arrive via train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six challenges related to the Biden-Harris agenda for players to complete , the campaign told The Verge : • Help Build a New Research Facility at Champ ’ s Construction site : “ Build a new research facility at the local historically Black college .
Build to the top , and stay inside the blueprints.
” • Install 3 Scranton Towers : “ Help install these new 5G Broadband towers to ensure every American has access to broadband , ” with a shoutout to Biden ’ s birthplace of Scranton , Pennsylvania .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Race to collect industrial waste and restore the river .
This challenge highlights Biden ’ s plan to mobilize the next generation of conservation and resilience workers through a Civilian Climate Corps.
” • Visit Joe ’ s Famous Ice Cream Shop : “ slide down the colors ( flavors ) to get as much ice cream as you can.
” • Help make Major ’ s Auto Factory Run Clean : “ They modified the line to produce electric cars and are now retrofitting the offices before reopening .
Install new high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panels on the roof.
” • Complete Kamala ’ s Sneaker Run : “ Find all 10 of Kamala ’ s sneakers around the city.
” Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris is known for sporting Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers as part of her standard wardrobe .
Biden ’ s dogs Champ and Major both have homes in Reboot City , and there are also a number of Easter eggs in the map , including a boogie bomb , a flashlight , “ chiller grenade , ” and a boom box .
The code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map is 0215-4511-1823 .
Despite developer Epic Games ’ ongoing legal battle with Apple , Fortnite has shown it can draw big numbers .
As of May , Epic said the game had 350 million registered players .
In April , a Travis Scott concert in Fortnite drew 12.3 million concurrent players , which Epic claimed was “ an all-time record ” for the battle royale game .

With just a few days to go before the November 3rd presidential election, former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign has launched a new custom map in Fortnite. First reported by Mashable, the “Build Back Better with Biden” map is located in “Reboot City,” and is aimed at promoting the campaign’s message that the environment and economy are connected. The solo-player, adventure-type map takes about 20 to 30 minutes to play, and made its debut Friday night.
“Our digital program is built around how people spend time, and the most effective ways reach them in those places,” Christian Tom, the Biden campaign’s director of digital partnerships said in a statement to The Verge. “We see interactive, digital-first experiences like gaming as an opportunity to bring our campaign to a new place and platform.”
The custom Fortnite map is a “substantive, approachable, and fun way to reach and mobilize voters,” Tom added. Signs around the map encourage players to visit makeaplan.com, and players can text “Fortnite” to 30330 to learn how to early-vote in person, drop off a ballot, or vote on Election Day.
The Biden Fortnite map encourages you to vote Biden campaign
It’s not the Biden campaign’s first foray into the video game realm. Earlier this month, the campaign launched a virtual Biden field office for voters to visit in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, “an entire island on the platform where supporters can further connect with the campaign.” And in September, the campaign introduced Biden-Harris yard signs in ACNH.
In the Fortnite map, after players arrive via train at No Malarkey Station, there are six challenges related to the Biden-Harris agenda for players to complete, the campaign told The Verge:
Help Build a New Research Facility at Champ’s Construction site: “ Build a new research facility at the local historically Black college. Build to the top, and stay inside the blueprints.”
Build a new research facility at the local historically Black college. Build to the top, and stay inside the blueprints.” Install 3 Scranton Towers: “Help install these new 5G Broadband towers to ensure every American has access to broadband,” with a shoutout to Biden’s birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Restore The Aviator River: “ Race to collect industrial waste and restore the river. This challenge highlights Biden’s plan to mobilize the next generation of conservation and resilience workers through a Civilian Climate Corps.”
Race to collect industrial waste and restore the river. This challenge highlights Biden’s plan to mobilize the next generation of conservation and resilience workers through a Civilian Climate Corps.” Visit Joe’s Famous Ice Cream Shop : “ slide down the colors (flavors) to get as much ice cream as you can.”
slide down the colors (flavors) to get as much ice cream as you can.” Help make Major’s Auto Factory Run Clean: “They modified the line to produce electric cars and are now retrofitting the offices before reopening. Install new high efficiency AC units and unwrap the solar panels on the roof.”
Complete Kamala’s Sneaker Run: “Find all 10 of Kamala’s sneakers around the city.” Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris is known for sporting Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers as part of her standard wardrobe.
Biden’s dogs Champ and Major both have homes in Reboot City, and there are also a number of Easter eggs in the map, including a boogie bomb, a flashlight, “chiller grenade,” and a boom box.
The code to access the Biden Build Back Better map is 0215-4511-1823.


theverge--2020-10-31--Watch the AR concert that opened up the 2020 League of Legends World Championship

Once again Riot has turned the opening ceremonies of the League of Legends World Championship final into a technological showcase .
This year at Pudong Football Stadium in Shanghai , the ceremony was split into a few different parts : it opened with virtual K-pop group K/DA performed via augmented reality , which was followed by a melody of anthems from past Worlds events .
At the end , as the players were introduced , a virtual , towering version of League character Galio — known as the stone colossus — appeared on stage .
While the event wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s holographic showcase , it was still an impressive feat considering the restraints created by the ongoing pandemic .
The main cast of performers were virtual , but they were accompanied by a few dozen real-world dancers and musicians , including Chinese pop star Lexie Liu .
( There was also a very cyberpunk-looking AR Ducati motorcycle that helped kick things off . )
Perhaps the most noticeable feature , especially in comparison to other esports events in 2020 , was the presence of fans : around 6,000 people were in attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat Suning Gaming of China in the championship match .
Later on , after the games actually started , Riot also announced a release window for the first League spinoff , which launches next year .
Ahead of the finals , the early stages of this year ’ s edition of Worlds looked a bit different due to the pandemic .
Prior to the finals , the month-long tournament was played out of a high-tech studio in Shanghai , one that utilized an Unreal Engine-powered backdrop to create some astonishing mixed reality effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney used to create The Mandalorian .
These kinds of spectacles are becoming the norm for Riot .
At last year ’ s Worlds in Paris , a holographic hip-hop group performed ( with an assist from Louis Vuitton ) , while the year before K/DA debuted via an augmented reality concert in Incheon .
There ’ s also more to come from the virtual K-pop group .
K/DA will be releasing its first EP on November 6th , and just this week Riot released an animated video for the single “ More @ @

Once again Riot has turned the opening ceremonies of the League of Legends World Championship final into a technological showcase. This year at Pudong Football Stadium in Shanghai, the ceremony was split into a few different parts: it opened with virtual K-pop group K/DA performed via augmented reality, which was followed by a melody of anthems from past Worlds events. At the end, as the players were introduced, a virtual, towering version of League character Galio — known as the stone colossus — appeared on stage.
While the event wasn’t as visually impressive as last year’s holographic showcase, it was still an impressive feat considering the restraints created by the ongoing pandemic. The main cast of performers were virtual, but they were accompanied by a few dozen real-world dancers and musicians, including Chinese pop star Lexie Liu. (There was also a very cyberpunk-looking AR Ducati motorcycle that helped kick things off.)
Perhaps the most noticeable feature, especially in comparison to other esports events in 2020, was the presence of fans: around 6,000 people were in attendance to watch Korea’s Damwon Gaming defeat Suning Gaming of China in the championship match. Later on, after the games actually started, Riot also announced a release window for the first League spinoff, which launches next year.