Laptops

Apple introduces the M1, its first ARM-based chip

Published

November 11, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

The wait is finally over. After months of speculation and confirmations, Apple has finally unveiled its first ARM-based Macs. However, before we get into specific devices, let’s go through the monster behind the wheel, the new M1 chip.

Touted as Apple’s most powerful chip to date, the M1 SoC sports four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. Built on just one chip, it is both powerful and energy-efficient, making it a versatile powerhouse for Apple’s lighter lineup of products.

According to Apple, the 5nm chip provides up to 3.5 times faster CPU performance, up to 6 times faster GPU performance, and up to 15 times faster machine learning, compared to the previous generation of Macs. Moreover, it can deliver up to twice as much faster CPU performance than the latest PC laptop chip. It can also reach a PC’s peak performance using only 25 percent of the chip’s power.

Complementing the new hardware, Apple has also optimized macOS Big Sur to take full advantage of the M1 chip. Apps can run faster and more responsive. During the chip’s launch, Apple boasted support for performance heavy hitters including developers from Adobe, Cinema4D, and Baldur’s Gate 3.

For now, Apple has announced new Macs and MacBooks with the new chip: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.

With the new chip, Apple plans to go head-to-head with the PC once again. They even brought back one of the most iconic ad campaigns of the Steve Jobs era: John Hodgman as the slow PC.

Laptops

Alienware celebrates 30th anniversary with new Area-51 laptops

The series features Alienware 30, an all-new design language.

Published

March 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Despite the rise of more gaming brands, Alienware is still one of the most recognizable names for gamers who want dedicated hardware. This year, the brand is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone, Alienware has launched the new Area-51 and Aurora notebooks.

Alienware Area-51

Alienware’s Area-51 lineup is the brand’s flagship line of notebooks, packing in the best of the best from the industry. This time is no different.

First of all, the new series will rock Alienware 30, a new design philosophy made especially for the 30th anniversary. On the outside, the laptops have fluid contours, emphasizing curves opposed to the industry’s more angular contemporaries. It also has a Zero Hinge, which hides the laptop’s hinge from view. Finally, it has pillowed palm rests to make usage easy for long gaming sessions.

The 16-inch model can rock up to a WQXGA Anti-Glare OLED screen, featuring 240Hz refresh rate and 620 peak HDR nits. It will also have an LCD option. Alternatively, the 18-inch model has a WQXGA screen, featuring 300Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness.

Inside, the Alienware Area-51 boasts up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 24GB GPU. For memory, gamers can enjoy up to 64GB Dual-Channel DDR5. Finally, for storage, the series can rock up to 2TB SSD natively but can support up to 3 slots, allowing for up to 12TB of internal storage.

The series will have a sizable 96Whr battery. This is complemented by a 280W adapter and the brand’s largest fans by volume to keep things cool.

Alienware 16X Aurora

For those who portability over raw power, the new Alienware 16X Aurora fits inside any day-to-day kit. For example, it ditches the thermal shelf typical of most gaming notebooks today to increase portability. It has rounded edges to make it easier to grasp and to create a slightly pillowed palm rest, similar to its flagship counterpart.

The 16-inch WQXGA OLED panel touts 240Hz refresh rate, 0.2ms response time, and 620 nits HDR peak brightness.

Inside, the notebook has up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU. These specs are paired with up to 64GB Dual-Channel DDR5 memory and up to 2TB SSD.

Finally, the Alienware 16X Aurora will have a 90Whr battery. This is supported by up to a 280W charger (for the RTX 5070 variant).

Price, availability

Both series are available starting today, March 17.

Laptops

Apple MacBook Neo Review

The Mac You’ve Been Waiting For!

Published

March 12, 2026

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

Apple disrupts the industry with their latest MacBook — an affordable to say the very least.

If you’re a student, a first-time Mac owner, someone who’s been priced out of this ecosystem their whole life, someone who just needs a laptop for basic tasks but one that looks great, without slowing them down, this is it!

Or maybe you’re torn choosing between the MacBook Neo and the more powerful M5 MacBook Air?

Well, that’s what we’re here for. Here’s our review with the all-new MacBook Neo.

Get the MacBook Neo here!

Laptops

Hands-on: NEW iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBooks, Studio Displays

What Apple has announced other than the MacBook Neo

Published

March 9, 2026

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

The MacBook Neo was the star of yesterday’s Apple event, and it has every right to be but it’s been a big week for Apple.

So as promised, we also went hands-on with every other device announced this week: iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and the new Studio Displays.