Laptops

This is the first Snapdragon powered ThinkPad

Called the ThinkPad X13s

Published

February 28, 2022

Rodneil Quiteles

The ThinkPad X13s is the world’s first laptop powered by the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 compute platform. It has 5G and promises up to 26 to 28 hours of battery life. This laptop also flexes Lenovo’s sustainability efforts being made from 90 percent recycled magnesium. Even the packaging is made with 100 percent recycled materials.

For the truly mobile

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13s is built for the truly mobile worker. For starters, it’s pretty darn light, weighing at just 1.06kg. It also supports WiFI 6E for stable connection where available. However, should there be no WiFi connections on site, the laptop also supports both mmWave and sub6 Wireless WAN 5G. This ensures you stay connected wherever you go.

Video calling has also been taken into account. The X13s has a communications bar with a 5-megapixel camera with AI-based auto framing plus Infrared (IR) camera option and standard triple-array microphones providing intelligent noise suppression during conference calls.

True all-day battery

Powered by the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 compute platform, the ThinkPad X13s promises an unheard of battery efficiency and performance despite being fan-less.

It delivers processing speeds with system-level performance boosts of up to 57 percent and handles multi-tasking up to 85 percent faster. Other than the processor, its 13.3-inch, 16:10 display (with touch or EyeSafe low blue light options) is also low power contributing to the promised true all-day battery life of up to 28 hours.

Made for business

Being a business-oriented laptop, the X13s has features that will make your company’s IT staff happy. It is equipped with advanced hardware and software threat protection through ThinkShield end-to-end security platform. Additionally, Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 integrates layered secure boot and Microsoft Pluton architecture implemented on the Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit for chip-to-cloud protection of user identity, data and applications on Windows 11 PCs that meet the Secured-core PC standard.

Also, Lenovo Services can assist in end-to-end lifecycle needs of the transformation to optimized Modern IT through planning, configuration, deployment, management, support and disposal of assets.

Lenovo also collaborates with ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) for native support on business-critical applications. This includes apps such as Microsoft 365, Zoom, Sophos and many more.

Price and availability

The ThinkPad X13s will be available starting May 2022, with a starting price of US$ 1099.

In the US, the ThinkPad X13s will be available on AT&T, and on Verizon later in 2022. More specific
availability and pricing will be shared later.

Laptops

Samsung Galaxy Book6 series coming to the US on March 11

Samsung’s most powerful AI PCs yet

Published

February 25, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung’s most advanced AI-powered PC lineup yet, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 series, will be available in the United States starting March 11.

The Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra, Book6 Pro, and Book6 are all powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors to deliver improved CPU, GPU, and NPU performance.

Galaxy AI features like AI Select and Intelligent Search streamline workflows, while Multi-Control and Second Screen enable seamless productivity across Galaxy devices.

Users can connect the Galaxy Book6 series to their Galaxy smartphone or tablet for multi-screen productivity. This includes accessing one’s phone storage straight from the Book6 PC.

And similar to Circle to Search on Galaxy mobile devices, the upcoming PCs have a feature wherein users can just trace whatever is on their screen and search.

In addition, the series combines ultra-thin designs with up to 30 hours of video playback.

Price, availability

Here are the pricing of the three devices under the series:

Galaxy Book6 Ultra: Starts at US$ 2,449.99
Galaxy Book6 Pro: Starts at US$ 1,599.99
Galaxy Book6: Starts at US$ 1,049.99

They will be available nationwide at Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores beginning on March 11. Customers who reserve early will get a US$ 30 credit.

More details will be unveiled during the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25 at 10:00 A.M. PT / 1:00 A.M. ET.

Laptops

Are you ready for a more colorful MacBook?

Apple is experimenting with quirkier colorway options for the MacBook.

Published

February 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

In recent years, Apple has relented on limiting the colors of its devices to only the more premium-looking options. Users can now pick quirkier colors for their iPhones, highlighted currently by the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max. Soon, the same splashes of color might make its way to the MacBook lineup.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been testing different colorway options for its upcoming entry-level MacBook. The unannounced lineup might come in pink, light yellow, light green, and blue.

It’s a big change for MacBooks. Currently, the only “quirky” option that users can get is the MacBook Air’s Sky Blue, which honestly looks more silvery than blue. Other than that, the MacBook simply seesaws from different shades of gold, silver, and black.

To be fair, the upcoming MacBook will still have the traditional colorways of the current lineup. Additionally, it’s unclear whether Apple will ultimately include all its experimental colors into the final lineup.

Reportedly, the new lineup will cost somewhere between US$ 699 to US$ 799. Of course, the lower price tag will come at the expense of some specs. Although, it should still be good if we’re talking about an entry-level laptop.

It’s even more interesting if it’s hinting at the return of truly colorful options but for the notebook. The iMac already got a similar renaissance back in 2024, which mimics the classic computer’s colorful history.

SEE ALSO: M5 MacBook Pro review

Laptops

ASUS, Acer PCs are banned in Germany

And it’s all because of Nokia.

Published

February 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Brands getting banned are commonplace in today’s tech landscape. These usually happen because of geopolitical reasons, especially if it’s in the United States. In Europe, brands sometimes get banned for anticompetition reasons. Today, however, a commonly used codec, HEVC, is at the center of a controversy that has led to the banning of ASUS and Acer in Germany. Even crazier, Nokia is involved.

For context, Nokia owns several patents for video codecs. One of those codecs, HEVC (or High-Efficiency Video Coding) is ubiquitous in every PC, which means that every PC maker must purchase a license to include the codec in their machines. It’s an essential these days, so it’s unusual for ASUS and Acer to miss it.

In Germany, where licensing is stricter, both companies were found guilty of infringing the patent, as reported by German outlet Hardwareluxx. As a result, ASUS and Acer must stop selling PC and laptop sales until they obtain a license from Nokia.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean that the two brands have disappeared from the country. Third-party retailers can still sell their remaining stock. However, the companies cannot import or sell any new stock, pending a conclusion to the issue.

Naturally, the easiest fix is to just buy the license. Hisense, another company that found itself in the same mire, bought a license last month. Either ASUS and Acer are running into more technical issues, or they just didn’t feel the license was worth it for a single market.