David and Nilay bought new computers this week, as the MacBook Neo turned out to be a surprisingly great cheap Apple laptop. The hosts discuss their experiences with the machines, from the processor to the keyboard to the mess that is MacOS Tahoe. After that, they talk about the future of Xbox, Project Helix, and what it might mean for every gaming PC to become an Xbox... and for the Xbox to become a gaming PC. Finally, in the lightning round, it's time for Brendan Carr is a Dummy, the latest on Paramount and Warner Bros, Grammarly's sloppelgangers, and more.

Further reading:


  MacBook Neo review: the Mac for the masses 



   Asus chief says Macbook Neo's affordable pricing came as a shock to the entire PC market — compares $599 notebook to a tablet and content-consumption device




  The MacBook Neo is surprisingly easy to disassemble and repair.



  From 2007: Ballmer Laughs at iPhone




  Apple Studio Display XDR review: a great, but expensive, pro option



  The iPhone 17E is good, but you probably shouldn’t buy it 



  iPad Air review 2026: the M4 and other chip bumps make a difference 



  Apple is going high-end with new ‘Ultra’ products next 



  iPhone Fold rumor: iPad-like multitasking, but no iPad apps and no Face ID 



  Microsoft’s next Xbox, Project Helix, won’t reach alpha until 2027 



  Microsoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PC 



  Microsoft says you should build next-gen Xbox games by building them for PC. 



  FCC chair blasts Amazon after it criticizes SpaceX megaconstellation



  Brendan Carr on X



  FCC chief tells CNBC WBD-Paramount merger deal is ‘cleaner’ than Netflix’s, will be approved ‘quickly’



  Grammarly is using our identities without permission 



  Grammarly is turning off the expert review AI feature that stole our identities 



  Grammarly will keep using authors’ identities without permission unless they opt out 



  The Live Nation settlement has industry insiders baffled



  Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus review: This again 


Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11.
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The Vergecast

The Verge

The MacBook Neo's a winner

MAR 15, 2026109 MIN
The Vergecast

The MacBook Neo's a winner

MAR 15, 2026109 MIN

Description

David and Nilay bought new computers this week, as the MacBook Neo turned out to be a surprisingly great cheap Apple laptop. The hosts discuss their experiences with the machines, from the processor to the keyboard to the mess that is MacOS Tahoe. After that, they talk about the future of Xbox, Project Helix, and what it might mean for every gaming PC to become an Xbox... and for the Xbox to become a gaming PC. Finally, in the lightning round, it's time for Brendan Carr is a Dummy, the latest on Paramount and Warner Bros, Grammarly's sloppelgangers, and more. Further reading: MacBook Neo review: the Mac for the masses   Asus chief says Macbook Neo's affordable pricing came as a shock to the entire PC market — compares $599 notebook to a tablet and content-consumption device The MacBook Neo is surprisingly easy to disassemble and repair. From 2007: Ballmer Laughs at iPhone Apple Studio Display XDR review: a great, but expensive, pro option The iPhone 17E is good, but you probably shouldn’t buy it  iPad Air review 2026: the M4 and other chip bumps make a difference  Apple is going high-end with new ‘Ultra’ products next  iPhone Fold rumor: iPad-like multitasking, but no iPad apps and no Face ID  Microsoft’s next Xbox, Project Helix, won’t reach alpha until 2027  Microsoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PC  Microsoft says you should build next-gen Xbox games by building them for PC.  FCC chair blasts Amazon after it criticizes SpaceX megaconstellation Brendan Carr on X FCC chief tells CNBC WBD-Paramount merger deal is ‘cleaner’ than Netflix’s, will be approved ‘quickly’ Grammarly is using our identities without permission  Grammarly is turning off the expert review AI feature that stole our identities  Grammarly will keep using authors’ identities without permission unless they opt out  The Live Nation settlement has industry insiders baffled Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus review: This again  Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices