$LAPTOP

Microsoft and PC makers have stopped using the Copilot+ branding on new Windows 11 laptops, phasing out the label that was meant to mark AI-capable machines. Reports describe the AI PC branding as tarnished and quietly pulled back rather than formally retired, raising questions about how Microsoft will market AI features in future hardware.

Reports claim Apple is preparing a redesigned MacBook Pro that would feature an OLED display and a return of touchscreen functionality. If accurate, it would mark a significant shift for a laptop line that has long resisted touch input while moving away from LCD panels. Details on timing, pricing, and which models would be affected remain unconfirmed.

Qualcomm is taking on Apple's latest chip in what is shaping up as a renewed battle over mobile and computing silicon. The week also brought news on Apple's front, including a fitness tracker, updated Macs and other product developments. The rivalry matters because Qualcomm's chips increasingly power Windows laptops that compete directly with Apple's Mac lineup, setting up a contest over performance and battery life claims.

Microsoft has removed the Copilot+ branding from its newest Surface laptops, even though a company vice president confirmed the devices still meet the Copilot+ hardware requirements. The move is seen as a retreat from a label that drew criticism over AI feature confusion, with new machines described simply as Surface devices rather than Copilot+ PCs.

Lenovo has launched the Legion 5i, a gaming laptop featuring an OLED display, aiming to bring higher-quality visuals to the mainstream gaming market. The announcement highlights Lenovo's push to compete in the gaming segment, where OLED panels are increasingly seen as a premium differentiator. Further details on pricing, availability and specifications have not yet been widely reported.

A French-speaking user says he solved a week of frustration tethering his phone as a USB modem for his laptop, concluding that a recent Ubuntu update broke compatibility with the WiFi driver of his old 2013 MacBook Air. He says he eventually fixed it using a tool, and shared the experience with others online.

A new roundup highlights seven affordable laptops suited to both productivity tasks and streaming or entertainment use. The list focuses on budget-friendly options for buyers who want a single device for remote work, browsing and media, without spending flagship prices. No specific models or pricing details are available beyond the list itself.

Dutch police have arrested a member of the hacker group ShinyHunters, who is suspected not only of cybercrime but of plotting to murder two individuals. According to reports, plans for the killings were reportedly found on the suspect's laptop. The case has drawn attention for combining a high-profile hacking investigation with serious allegations of planned violence.

Hunter Biden has spoken publicly about Bitcoin, referencing claims of 'Operation Chokepoint 2.0' — an alleged coordinated effort to debank crypto firms — and a token going by the ticker $LAPTOP. His remarks drew attention within the crypto community, where comments from political figures and the Biden family name tend to move markets and reignite debate over the US government's treatment of the digital asset industry.