Laptops

Microsoft announces ‘most balanced’ Surface Laptop

Published

May 3, 2017

Rodneil Quiteles

Setting its eyes squarely on students, Microsoft unveiled what it calls the “most balanced” notebook, the Surface Laptop.

Microsoft made some bold claims about the Surface Laptop saying it made no compromises with the device. Microsoft Devices Chief Panos Panay kept driving home the point it is balanced and seamless. It’s powered by the latest Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and should last for 14.5 hours. Panay says it has “more battery life than any MacBook,” and is faster than a Core i7 MacBook Pro.

It has a 13.5-inch PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio — not something you’d normally see on laptops, but Panay claims it’s “the thinnest LCD touch model ever created and put into a laptop.” As for ports, it does not come with a USB-C port, but you do get a USB 3.0 port, SD card reader, Mini DisplayPort, and a headphone jack.

Seamless with Windows 10 S, peripherals

Windows 10 S is a version of Microsoft’s operating system that can only run apps that are downloaded from the Windows Store. While that may seem limited, it should also save you some much-needed battery life, which is probably how they are able to claim the 14.5-hour battery life.

Panay demonstrated how the Surface, Office, and Windows worked together on this particular product by showing how the Surface Dial — introduced along with the Surface Studio — quickly adapts to whatever app is currently active on the laptop. From scrolling through pages of Microsoft Word to adjusting the volume on Spotify (yes, it’s now on the Windows Store), the Dial knows what app is running on the laptop and adjusts its functions instantly.

If you’re worried about the laptop being locked to Windows 10 S, fret not. You have the option to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro directly. Since this is geared toward students, if you still happen to be transitioning from high school to college, you get to upgrade for free. If not, the upgrade will cost you $49.99.

Sleek and Stylish

Part of the “no compromises” claim is how beautifully designed the Surface Laptop is. It is thin, light, and gorgeous. It comes in four colors: platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue, and graphite gold.

Its keyboard is covered with Microsoft’s Signature Alcantara fabric that looks like it’ll attract dirt real quick, but the company claims it resists spills, stains, and absorption and can be easily wiped clean.

The base model starts $999. Pre-orders begin on May 2 and it will be available on June 15.

[irp posts=”7256″ name=”Microsoft Surface Studio is the all-in-one PC of our dreams”]

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.