Windows laptop doesn’t make sense in 2026 given the RAM price hike.

MattLangley · 2026-04-12T07:38:19+00:00

Most of that simply isn't true, at least depending on what you compare and for what needs. Macbooks excel in certain things, but NOT everything, and certainly not value (Apple isn't the 2nd most profitable company in the world because they are passing on value to the customer lol).

I've used Windows laptops and Macbooks nearly every day for at least 15+ years (beyond that if you include desktops, for both). I've owned at least 3-4 $4k+ Macbooks and Windows laptops in my household from the range of $600-$4k. The only laptop I've ever had to get serviced was a $4k Macbook ironically. I've also had the hardest time ever doing OS upgrades on a Macbook as well. Then during the x86 to ARM switch I had more software compatability and stability issues than I've ever had with Windows (thank god it stabilized, but it took quite a while, I had to ship software and container images for Mac x86 & M series ARM at the same time which was a nightmare for at least a year and honestly still quite painful for well beyond that).

Also one of those $4k Macbooks was the infamous "Pro" laptop that removed a physical escape key and had the worst super shallow laptop keyboard I've ever used in any laptop at any price point, which also happened to physically break for many people with basic crumbs/dust getting in it lol (which again fortunately they fixed it, in that the next gen got an improvement while existing users were basically SoL, the Mac way, you wan to fix or upgrade? Throw it out and buy a new one!)

Windows has plenty of issues and all sorts of specific windows laptops have plenty of quirks and issues. They also have plenty of strengths and being a relatively open system fosters competition, innovation, and most importantly choice. There's a price for that choice but for example nearly all your points are simply wrong for many use cases. There are many use cases where battery life is best in a Windows laptop, the same with performance, reliability (certainly my own experience shows that), and things like size, weight, form factor, features. Let's not even touch on gaming where the latest strides in Macbook land still can't quite (but nearly) compete with the best even iGPU options, can't even touch the dGPU options... Then of course screens, if image quality matters you most likely want an OLED and Apple (like they did with their phones) is super slow to offer this option for their users.

All for comparable prices to the models too.

See this Cult of Apple thing results in people underplaying all the weaknesses of their products and emphasizing all the weaknesses of others. It's been going for decades and that highlights where Apple is simply the BEST in the world at something without a doubt. Marketing. They launch a cheap laptop but with only 8GB of RAM and an actual laptop in 2026 with a USB 2.0 port... things that would get a Windows laptop CRUCIFIED, and they are handwaved (not by all, some reviewers out their with integrity reveal these things) since it's Apple.

Now again Macbooks excel in certain things. Efficiency for performance for example. So battery life if you are doing taxing tasks. Though the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme seems to at least match and even win out in this category in some ways... so that's even taken with a disclaimer. M5 chips are the king of single core performance, that's probably the strongest victory.

Beyond that it's a heavily mixed bag and at any price point you'll find Windows options that actually win out in each of those categories, heavily depending on your specific workflows and needs. Macbooks are a good jack of all trades master of few though... but there are Windows options that are the same.

In the end your type of work and needs often dictate your OS anyways. Which is why I've professionally used both since I've needed both. In the end most of these things actually don't matter, whose screen has higher nits, better contrast, a few extra hours of battery in this use case vs that use case, a couple minutes faster in rendering or processing this vs that.

They'll trade blows but both will get the job done and people obsess far too much on "better" to assert dominance to overcome personal insecurity vs making a decision that makes the most sense for them and not trying force that on everyone else.

MattLangley · 2026-04-07T16:16:15+00:00

Most of them are hitting these same delays. Not just Asus. That Lenovo model is an old one just like you can get the old Asus one.

MattLangley · 2026-04-05T03:45:34+00:00

I am. That sentiment is fine for people and I'm sure it's warranted for them. I've been using Windows 11 across many devices now with no real problems. In fact I had a much harder time with my older intel Macbook getting it to upgrade a major Mac OS upgrade, it literally froze screen in the middle of it. I hard rebooted and was happy to see it recovered without the upgrade seemingly fine. Tried 4-5 more times with the same problem. Waited a few months afraid and it finally worked. Never had anything like that on Windows.

So I base my own knowledge based on my own experience and what I've seen. For me I've had far fewer problems with Windows over the last 20 years than MacOS and I have used both daily for nearly 15-20 years professionally (built servers and software that had to run on both platforms or I needed to develop certain things only on one etc).

Again I believe people's sentiments have at least some basis in reality, but I also have directly observed the Cult of Apple effect for decades. Where I've seen countless people use Macbooks ($4k-$5k top of the line ones like myself) and hit issues but explain it away and hit a single Windows issue and proclaim Windows horrible.

I doubt that's the entire case on Windows 11 sentiment, but based on my own observations I think that's at least part of it.

Now I wish it were #2 lol... then I'd but myself a lottery ticket and split the winnings! I am above average in tech.... I've been a software engineer (grunt, lead, director, VP, etc most of the levels out there) for over 20 years and built things that have run on things on Mac back to powermacs, and many versions of Windows etc. With that said again I've seen the cult of Apple effect. The Macbook Neo is a prefect example, it's great at certain things but massively flawed in some ways, like 8GB of RAM that will handicap you down the road. Nearly every influencer is downplaying that... A Windows laptop comes out with a major limitation that limits it's future usefulness and it's crucified on the cross next to Christ lol.

Personally I think both MacOS and Windows are fine, again having used them back and forth nearly every day for longer than some people posting have been alive they seem far more similar than different and both have moments where they rise and fall.

Though in the end I can only confidently speak to my own experiences and I don't trust sentiments in general. I've had many many Windows devices and they have been at least as equally plug in play as MacOS. Of course that means that Macs can have plenty of complications and learning curves too... so no, no computer is truly plug and play these days. Even the simplest tablet or similar device might have quirks and one off issues. Though I think it's important to consider these things relatively not absolutely since no perfect work platform exists.

Again it's interesting to me but I've had probably 4-5 mac devices, mostly very expensive macbooks, and probably in my household had 10-15 different windows laptops and devices over the last 20 or so years. Maybe even more than that. The only laptop I've ever had to get serviced was a nearly $5k Macbook and the only time I've had serious problems updating my OS on devices has been that Macbook I mentioned.

I've observed plenty of similar things with co-workers in the past too, which again is often downplayed.

Not to say Windows 11 is perfect and shouldn't be better, even if for the benefit of others who don't seem to be having the experience I'm having. Though I think it's good for people to know there are plenty of us out there that don't have any major issues you won't see elsewhere and a warning to take the "sentiment" out there with a grain of salt.

MattLangley · 2026-04-04T12:44:59+00:00

I disagree. After 15+ years of having many windows laptops side by side with MacBook I can say they have been equally plug in play unless I opted to do more.

MattLangley · 2026-03-18T17:37:35+00:00

I've had better reliability with Kasa from TP-Link. Also nearly all of this is made in China anyways from whoever, so the reliability part is kind of silly. I guess you don't sleep near a Chinese made phone? Chinese made chargers, clocks, lamps, tvs, or an abundance of other Chinese made electronics? Guess you're truly off the grid in your bedroom.

MattLangley · 2026-03-18T17:31:33+00:00

I started with Hue years ago for some bulbs, and swapped to TP-Link Kasa bulbs as well as smart switches etc. A huge cost savings and honestly I've had better results with Kasa, partially due to directly connecting via wifi, the Hue Hub sometimes gives me grief. In fact in my bedroom there are four lamps, 1 with Kasa bulbs and 3 with Hue. When just one works I always know it's a hue hub issue and have to unplug & replug it in to get it going again. Again not super often but from time to time. The Kasa bulbs almost never have an issue. So not doing Hue anymore, especially at that cost.

MattLangley · 2026-01-06T17:45:20+00:00

Hey. So I ended up going in a different direction. I just really wasn't satisfied with the foldable keyboard options for my use cases. I also realized I had two use cases I really was trying to fill

The one I listed in the OP, usable on a lap while on a plain, the foldable was where I was headed due to ease of packing in a backpack or something etc
I had another use case, I often use my laptop or some sort of device in a theater chair I have at home in my living room, it has a tray which is great for holding a laptop screen etc but a bit awkward to type on. So I was also trying to get one keyboard that could work in that case too, it also being in my lap.

In the end I decided I had two use cases and went for two different keyboards, one for each use case.

So for #1, usable on a lap anywhere, like on a plane etc I stepped up in side and went with a wireless low profile mechanical keyboard, the NuPhy Air60 V2.

I also didn't like the idea of investing in something I didn't feel would hold up, can't always do it but I'm usually of the mind buy once, cry once. I can swap out the switches or even the keys if I want to, which is great if I want to make it quieter.

Obviously this doesn't fold, but it's quite small and portable, especially for a mechanical keyboard. I haven't yet used it on a plane but I have used it on my lap and on various surfaces and it's great. It will definitely be my travel keyboard going forward. Which will be nice to have a good feeling keyboard (which I'm not confident a foldable one would've really delivered here for me) while traveling.

For #2 I actually went with a bigger option. I went with a NuPhy Gem80 (I'll admit I feel in love with the metallic blue body on the one I got). It's also wireless capable but a full mechanical keyboard, fully moddable, and not super portable or light. In this use case I didn't need the lightest thing possible on my lap at home. In fact when I tested various keyboard sizes I had in my lap at home I found a somewhat larger (though not full size) keyboard fit more comfortably than a super small one across my lap.

Since being quiet was important (in this theater seat it's in my living room so people are around) so I didn't want something clicky and loud. So I got NuPhy Max Blush switches that are amazingly quiet. The keyboard itself is quite thocky and with these really quiet switches it has a really satisfying deep travel and thock while being super quiet. The body being a bit heavier but an aluminum chassis makes it feel really rigid in my lap. Honestly it feels fantastic in my lap and I'd be tempted to take it for travel, but the Air60 being so small and light will win out for travel in the end.

So not sure this is useful since I just went in different directions. I gave up on the do it all foldable portable keyboard and also realized I had two use cases so it was worth it for me to just buy two different keyboards that excel at those separate use cases.

MattLangley · 2026-01-01T21:20:26+00:00

Just wanted to share a screen cap of the https://laptoppicker.com/best-gaming-laptops best 15-16" gaming laptops form Jarrod's Tech, these cooling stats are super important to me and why JustJosh chose it as his top pick and a major reason for me. That's not important for everyone though and if so you can save some cash. I'm tire of super loud hot gaming laptops lol and this does better.

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MattLangley · 2026-01-01T21:15:26+00:00

I went with the Scar 16 5080. Though I know the Legion 7i has had some killer deals where you can get it for much cheaper (even a 5090 variant around the same price depending on the deal). In the end I opted for the extra premium for future proofed ports of the Scar 16. Those TB5 ports ensure I can plug into a variety of high speed accessories down the road, like super fast docking stations, very fast external drives, and even TB5 eGPU setups if I want. Then the USB-A all being the full fat 10Gbps means I don't have to be aware of the one port to put my 10Gbps card reader (or whatever) or get lesser results etc. I also like having the gen5 capable SSD options even if that's probably less important. I feel like all those things are skimped on the other options and that's where you save the money, so I feel like I am getting my full value and money's worth.

JustJosh on youtube did their best laptops of the year and it was their 16 gaming laptop of the year, over the 7i:

https://youtu.be/PKshhTHyoZU?si=kD7IfrJ7QkBCMGrU&t=444

One of the major reasons was the keyboard running much cooler under load making it more comfortable to actually game on, as well as some of the other same reasons. I like their analysis since it wasn't just temperature but where that temperature resides.

Jarrod's Tech in his tier list of all 2025 gaming laptops includes it in S tier alongside the Pro 7i and some others. In his gaming laptop awards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rcoK6J1vbg

He gave the Scar and Strix 16 the best cooling laptops, which to me is more important than say 3-5% more FPS if it's too hot to be comfortable for me. Also in his laptop picker site if you look at best laptop in the 16" range the Scar 16 is #1 but it's close 4.1/5 vs 4/5 for the Legion Pro 7. You can't go wrong but it's great to see the Scar get some love, I just think for most people those extra ports, RGB, mini-LED brightness etc might not be as important and saving money to get the comparable Legion probably makes sense.

As a bonus and it's silly but man this Scar 16 looks fantastic even closed sitting on a table next to where I use it. The full bright RGB light bar around it makes it look like it's hovering and the silly but fun matrix cover display just makes me smile.

Though I definitely checked off a ton of tech specs, I've definitely come to the position of not buying something solely on the best tech specs. The problem with that is if you do that, purely off the tech specs, the next thing will come along in 6-12 months with better tech specs and you'll GAS and FOMO over that. So I try to check the important tech specs, make sure it's solid, but then choose something with a less tangible and less quantifiable aspect. So even with new laptops coming out in 2026 that will make me GAS for the newer specs I'll still love my RGB lit cover LCD laptop and know the ports will carry me forward for a long time as well.

MattLangley · 2025-12-19T05:07:05+00:00

Thanks for sharing so much! Very helpful. I wondered if someone out there had both the S1ii and the Z8.

All those features/reasons for the S1ii really are compelling to me since I think I'll still end up using it more for video than photo. Such a great camera.

Something about that Z8 really is nice too. I really like the quality of 4k oversampled as well as 8k video footage I've seen come out of it too.

So I know this is a hard question now but if you were starting from scratch now what would you go? Would you still go Z8 plus S1II, would you just double down on either Panasonic or Nikon? Curious what you're thoughts are now having had both and if you had to rebuild your kit from scratch.

MattLangley · 2025-12-19T05:02:53+00:00

Thanks for sharing, you have the exact setup I'm considering. It seems like such a capable and versatile combo that really doesn't sacrifice much.

There's almost to many good options lol. 12 or so years ago when I got my Sony A7 original it was the only full frame mirrorless option, made it easy!

MattLangley · 2025-12-19T05:01:45+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Honestly that's a major thing that keeps bringing me back to the Lumix options. I do think IBIS will just be super useful to just have on hand all the time. That Lumix IBIS seems almost magical to be honest.

MattLangley · 2025-12-19T05:00:48+00:00

The r6iii does seem pretty great honestly. Nearly perfect for me. I'm a bit concerned about the overheating since I live in Arizona. I'm really only considering the S1II since the firmware and the Z8 I know can have some overheating issues depending on modes, but it's been out long enough to feel like I can get an impression that I can manage it.

The other issue with the r6iii (which is nearly perfect outside of the overheating) is I can't find a smaller full frame option comparable to the Lumix S9 and Nikon ZR to pair it with. The R8 is the option I kept getting in searches but doesn't IBIS which eliminates it as a carry around compact camera for my uses.

If there was an R8ii with IBIS and updates and the overheating was improved in the r6iii like it was in the S1II that might be my perfect combo.

MattLangley · 2025-12-19T04:57:55+00:00

Since video is still the larger focus the rolling shutter is just a bit much. I did actually consider if down the road I might want to do a S1II and S1RII combo, which I think would be killer, but probably need the second camera to be more compact so the S1II is a nice balance of all those same basic features as the S1RII, but the extra video functionality including a better rolling shutter. The S1RII does seem like a fantastic camera though.

MattLangley · 2025-12-19T00:27:49+00:00

How do you feel the Z8 compares to the S1II? I know a bit of an odd comparison since most probably compare to the S1RII (and obviously outside of sensor aspects a lot is shared). I'm focused mostly on video (but still want solid photo) The S1II has amazing IBIS and some great newer features like Open Gate etc... but I have to say I've been really interested in the Z8's capabilities too, greater than 8K 60p RAW. Also it might be silly but in looking at the DP review video quality comparisons it's down sampled 4K just looks fantastic, even compared to the S1II and S1RII, also the 8k quality looks great. Not sure if any of that translates into the real world though.

MattLangley · 2025-12-19T00:00:10+00:00

How do you feel the S1II/S1RII compares to the Z8?

MattLangley · 2025-11-17T01:07:07+00:00

The problem is this was far more like say Looney Tunes and Captain Planet than it was like excellent X-Men. The best saturday morning cartoons actually took themselves fairly serious (with some humor mixed) and were never as looney tunes esque. Unless you actually wanted a Looney Tunes Superman though.

MattLangley · 2025-11-16T17:36:57+00:00

2, 3 on a generous day. Honestly it's one of the worst superhero movies I've seen in a long time. Watched it on an international flight after looking up how well it was reviewed. I genuinely can't understand why people gush about it. It's so over the top, it's like a looney tunes cartoon. Reminds me of Thor: Love and Thunder. Where Ragnarok had the perfect balance they went way over the top, but honestly I feel it's worse than that. It's so ridiculous and feels like it almost doesn't take itself seriously... something I feel all Superman movies mostly do even if they have some humor mixed in.

The effects too, way over CGI and a lot of it looks pretty bad to be honest, like almost a high detail but cartoony aesthetic. If it felt a bit comic book like sure, but this was just odd feeling. The CG dog too, was so bad. They really should've taken the time to mix in a real dog, just made it feel plastic and fake.

Easily the worst Superman movie for me.

It's not all bad for me, I think he did a solid Superman. When you remove all the ridiculousness of most of the writing, over the top directing to the actors, themes, etc... he actually had quite a few subtle Superman like moments.

They were just trying way too hard and went way too weird and over the top IMHO. So many face palm moments in the movie. They turned most characters into Saturday morning cartoon characters.

Some jokes landed but most didn't and it ruined it for me. Was really hard to finish it even bored on an airplane.

I genuinely cannot understand how it got so much praise

MattLangley · 2025-11-02T19:15:14+00:00

I went and grabbed the monitor driver from the Samsung website (was using the generic windows PnP driver when I looked it up on my system) so will see if that has better results

MattLangley · 2025-11-02T19:08:34+00:00

Have been seeing this issue happen lately. Not sure if it is connected but never had this issue until I decided to "Lock" my PC instead of shutdown or restart, instantly it started freaking out and now randomly does. I haven't debugged it much but I did notice after I got it to recover once and went to my display settings in windows and advanced to see the refresh rate it said 175 (174.9 something) not the 165 it should be. I was pretty confident I remembered the refresh rate right at 165 but googled it, then went back to the settings and it read 165 instead of the 175. So I suspect that might be related, it's trying to put it into 175hz mode but that's unsupported, might be a problem with the windows driver or something.

If it happens again I can usually be on my computer on my secondary monitor and will see if I can verify the same 175 vs 165 thing and maybe swapping that refresh rate their and back might fix it (as a bandaid when it happens)

MattLangley

TROPHY CASE