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Google's Android laptop line 'Googlebooks' opens preorders, five models from $899

Google's new Android-based Googlebook laptops are now available for preorder from multiple OEM partners, ahead of an October 4 launch. Five models will debut, priced starting at $899 with only one under $1,000, featuring OLED displays, metal chassis, large haptic trackpads, and an illuminated 'Glowbar' on the lid. The machines run either Snapdragon X Elite or Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips with NPUs delivering up to 45 TOPS.

ASUS Googlebook laptop renders leak days before September 21 pre-orders

New renders of ASUS's upcoming Googlebook laptop have surfaced just ahead of pre-orders opening on September 21, showing design details including a rainbow glowbar on the lid and a dedicated Google key. The images also include rare X-ray and chassis frame views, adding to a summer of leaks about the new Google-branded laptop line from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

Google to unveil first Googlebooks at October 5 New York event

Google announced an 'Opening Night' event in New York on October 5 to formally showcase its first Googlebook laptops, which run an Android-based version of ChromeOS. The event follows the September 21 pre-order launch and will feature interactive displays along with the debut of the first laptop built for Gemini Intelligence. Partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo are manufacturing the devices, which include a lid light called a 'glowbar.'

Popping trackpads signal swollen lithium-ion batteries in laptops, experts warn

Laptops with trackpads that bulge or pop out are often showing a symptom of a swollen lithium-ion battery, which sits directly beneath the trackpad in most designs including MacBooks and Surface devices. Battery swelling happens when overcharging or physical damage triggers chemical reactions that release gas, pushing outward against internal components. Apple has previously run replacement programs for MacBooks affected by this exact issue.

WIRED's buying guide highlights nine Windows laptops rivaling MacBooks

WIRED published a guide identifying nine Windows laptops that compete with Apple's MacBooks on quality and performance, alongside broader advice on choosing a laptop. The guide recommends spending $750 to $1,000 for a 13- or 14-inch machine with at least 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, and modern chips like Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series or Intel's Core Ultra lineup. It cites models such as the Dell 14 Plus and HP OmniBook 5 14 as strong examples in this price range.

Switching from MacBook to Windows means trading polish for hardware variety

Because Windows runs across countless third-party manufacturers rather than one vertically integrated maker like Apple, laptop quality and battery life vary widely depending on the model chosen. Budget Windows machines often use plastic builds and x86 chips with weaker battery life, while premium options like the Dell XPS 13 or Asus Zenbook A16 rival MacBooks in build quality, and ARM-based Windows laptops from Qualcomm and MediaTek now close the battery gap, though at the cost of software compatibility.

Rugged laptops from Panasonic, Getac and Dell stay heavy and pricey by design

Rugged laptops such as Panasonic's Toughbook 40, Getac's B360 Pro, Dell's Pro Rugged 13 and Durabook's Z14I weigh far more than consumer models because of reinforced frames, sealed ports and outdoor-ready displays built to survive drops, dust and water. Despite carrying modern Intel Core Ultra chips and even optional discrete graphics, these machines still prioritize durability features like extra Ethernet ports or serial connectors over slimness or top-tier performance.

Acer's 2026 Vero 16 adds swappable, upgradable parts to cut e-waste

Acer unveiled a fourth-generation Vero 16 laptop at IFA 2026, building on last year's sustainability-focused redesign by making the chassis and internal components easier to remove, repair and upgrade. The company also introduced two new lightweight Swift laptops at the same event, signaling it isn't abandoning its traditional clamshell lineup.

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