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Lenovo is selling a high-end configuration of its IdeaPad Slim 5x—16GB RAM, 512GB storage, a high-resolution OLED display, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Plus chip—for $900, a $250 discount. A lower-resolution version of the same laptop is also available directly from Lenovo.com for $800.
A hands-on review of the Dell XPS laptop running Googlebook OS praises the same screen, keyboard and build quality found on the Windows version of the XPS 13, crediting Dell's hardware design. However, the reviewer reports that the software experience is inconsistent, citing poor Android app support through the Google Play store, including a stripped-down Slack app and the complete absence of Evernote.
Android Authority surveyed readers on which of Google's five newly announced Googlebooks they would purchase. The Lenovo Googlebook 15 led with 19% of votes, followed by the Dell XPS Googlebook at 16%, the Acer Googlebook 14 at 14.1%, the ASUS Googlebook 14 at 12.7%, and the HP Googlebook 14 trailing at 9.8%. Roughly a third of respondents, combining those who skipped a pick and the 15% awaiting more options, did not commit to any current model.
A reviewer used the Acer Googlebook 14 and Dell XPS Googlebook as primary computers for two weeks, starting at $899. The first week revealed frequent slowdowns, unreliable basic features, and extensive troubleshooting, though a batch of software fixes in week two resolved some early issues, including setup problems with Better Together cross-device features and initial lack of Samsung phone support.
Dell's XPS 13 and Apple's entry-level MacBook still ship with 8GB of RAM, but prices have risen sharply this year—Dell's base configuration climbed $100 and Apple's MacBook went from $599 to $699 amid broader June price hikes. TrendForce reports that memory, storage and CPUs now account for 68 percent of a mainstream laptop's bill of materials.
Tom's Hardware tested Googlebooks from Dell, Lenovo and HP, built on a new operating system called Googlebook OS that resembles Android more than Chrome OS. The platform aims to merge Android phones and laptops and includes AI features such as Rambler, with Acer and Asus also signed on as hardware partners. The reviewer found the hardware solid but said the OS still feels underdeveloped and centered mainly on the web browser.
Framework has refreshed its budget-oriented, repairable Laptop 12 with Intel's new Wildcat Lake processors, keeping the 2-in-1 convertible design, touchscreen with optional stylus, and multiple color options. The base model starts at $549 without RAM or storage, but a fully configured unit costs roughly $200-$300 more than rival laptops like Dell's updated XPS 13.
Engadget's 2026 review roundup revisits its testing of Dell's XPS 13, noting that the entry-level 8GB RAM configuration struggled with Windows 11. Reviewer Sam tested a midrange model with more memory and found it performed significantly better, concluding the extra cost was worthwhile despite the base model's shortcomings.
HP has unveiled the OmniBook 5, a $700 laptop featuring a 14-inch 2K OLED display and a claimed 42-hour battery life in local video playback tests. The launch follows Apple's MacBook Neo, which debuted at $599 in March but has since risen to roughly $700 amid component shortages linked to the ongoing RAM supply crunch. HP joins Dell's XPS 13 and Lenovo's upcoming IdeaPad Vibe in targeting the same budget price point.
Engadget tested a midrange Dell XPS 13 with 16GB of RAM after reviewing the base $700 model, which ships with only 8GB. The reviewer found that even with no extra apps open, Windows 11 consumed over half the 16GB unit's memory at idle, suggesting the 8GB base model would leave little headroom for everyday use.
A commentary piece argues that DHH's Omarchy Linux distro is being built and marketed around heavy use of large language models and agentic AI workflows, following a lengthy podcast interview in which DHH discussed his use of AI tools. The piece also notes Alibaba's Phoronix-reported Qwen Book announcement, which frames plans for Omarchy to become the operating system for Alibaba's proposed agentic computer hardware, and mentions Michael Dell's donation and DHH's on-air praise of the Dell XPS.
Dell has revived the XPS 13 line with a redesigned thin-and-light laptop starting at $699.99, positioning it as a lower-cost alternative to Apple's MacBook Neo. The tested units pair a six-core Intel Core 5 320 'Wildcat Lake' chip with 512GB storage, differing only in RAM—8GB in the base model and 16GB in the $999.99 version. Dell has since introduced a new $699.99 base configuration with just 256GB of storage while raising prices on the 512GB models by $100.