The world’s first rollable laptop computer drives dwelling why I am a PC—not a Mac
I’m typing this on the world’s first rollable laptop computer. With an OLED show that extends upwards on the push of a button, it looks like one thing you’d see in a science fiction present—or like a tech demo you’d see at CES that might be too pricey to provide and promote. But it surely’s right here!
Do you have to purchase one your self? Most likely not. It’s past the typical laptop computer purchaser’s worth vary! However that’s not the purpose. The purpose is that it’s new and thrilling. It’s experimental, it’s attention-grabbing, and it’s enjoyable. You aren’t caught with a one-size-fits-all concept of what a pc will be, which is what you get once you purchase from Apple.
Pondering again to Apple’s outdated “Get a Mac” advertisements, I say with satisfaction: I’m a PC. The PC platform is enjoyable, experimental, versatile, whereas the Mac platform is stuffy, outdated, and boring. Apple would by no means launch a product this wild.
I like that Lenovo’s rollable laptop computer exists
Lenovo’s world-first rollable laptop computer—the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable—encompasses a rollable OLED display and a motor that engages on the press of a button. The show unrolls itself from throughout the laptop computer, after which shrinks itself again to regular laptop computer measurement once you don’t want it.
It sounds prefer it shouldn’t work very effectively, however it does. For a first-generation product, it’s unimaginable and looks like magic. Certain, it’s a whopping $3,300 and never everybody can afford it, however that’s okay for now. Perhaps rollable laptops would be the new foldable telephones in a number of years. (By the way in which, foldable telephones are one other factor Apple refuses to make. For enjoyable stuff like that, you’ll want to modify to Android.)
Matt Smith/Foundry
I can hear the Apple apologists now. “It’s not polished sufficient!” Sure, you possibly can barely see a number of odd reflections from simply the fitting angle because of the rollable show, and Apple would by no means launch a product like that. In the event you’re a Mac, you’re not getting a product like this till Apple decides a rollable show is true for each MacBook person—and so long as it isn’t for everybody, then it isn’t value growing.
And that’s why MacBooks are so boring. If you would like something past a primary conventional laptop computer expertise, you’re out of luck. In the event you’re a Mac, there’s actually just one approach to make use of a laptop computer; should you’re a PC, you get to make your personal selections.
PCs are about selection — and freedom
Lenovo’s rollable laptop computer is only one instance of selection and freedom. You too can get a dual-screen laptop computer—just like the Lenovo Yoga Ebook 9i, which is a 2-in-1 convertible that includes two shows hooked up at a hinge. It’s additionally good to make use of frequently.
IDG / Matthew Smith
There are different sorts of 2-in-1 laptops, too. With a PC, you will get convertibles just like the Floor Professional with its superior tablet-with-a-stylus expertise that allows you to use full desktop artwork software program, or 2-in-1 “yoga”-style laptops that fold again on a 360-degree hinge and will be navigated utilizing a handy touchscreen. (Desire a stylus on a Mac? Too dangerous! That’s what iPads are for—and iPads don’t run full Mac apps.)
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Highly effective gaming laptops and high-end gaming desktops are additionally unique PC territory, as Apple has by no means proven a lot of an curiosity in gaming (other than microtransaction-filled cellular gaming). However the business has embraced handheld gaming PCs beginning with Valve’s Steam Deck. It’s an indication of what’s potential with PC {hardware}, with the Steam Deck operating on the Linux-powered SteamOS. PCs have grown greater than Home windows, and even PC gaming has now grown past Home windows to supply much more flexibility.
The Raspberry Pi is one other superior machine that solely exists in PC land. On the Mac aspect, the closest factor is a Mac Mini, which is rather more costly and has much less versatile {hardware} and software program.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The PC expertise enables you to construct and improve your personal {hardware}. Now you can construct and improve your personal laptops with the Framework Laptop computer, and also you even have the Framework Desktop, which could simply be the best PC you’ll ever construct. These really feel loads nearer to Apple’s unique hacker spirit when it was based in 1976. At the moment, they really feel virtually the other of what Apple is all about.
Apple’s well-known advert feels totally different now
Keep in mind Apple’s well-known 1984 advert from over 40 years in the past? A hero—representing Apple—bravely fees right into a darkish grey room and smashes a telescreen. The Macintosh was all about “Pondering Completely different” and never being like everybody else, no less than in keeping with the advertising.
In 2025, the Mac has devolved right into a one-size-fits-all platform. In the meantime, PC producers—like Lenovo with its rollable laptop computer, Valve with its Steam Deck, and lots of others—are enjoying round and attempting various things. Apple is the corporate that claims you possibly can’t be trusted to run unapproved software program in your telephone or pill. (Fortunately, you possibly can nonetheless run no matter you need on a Mac.)
Macs work effectively they usually’re polished, for positive. If you would like Mac software program and the MacBook kind issue is what you need, nice. If you would like anything—if you wish to “suppose totally different”—you then’ll must cease marching in keeping with the Macs and be a PC as an alternative.
In 2025, I’m nonetheless a PC and pleased with it
I don’t actually desire a Mac. I favor the Home windows desktop expertise, and I like enjoying PC video games and having a Steam library. However I like Linux, too. I like having flexibility and selection in my {hardware}.
I’m glad I’m comfy with Home windows. If I had been utilizing macOS for many years with an enormous library of Mac software program, I’d be trapped. I wouldn’t wish to depart Apple’s ecosystem and I’d be caught with no matter {hardware} Apple’s staff in Cupertino suppose I needs to be utilizing, at the same time as the remainder of the business strikes on to new, attention-grabbing, enjoyable concepts.
Don’t let Apple make you suppose PCs are boring. PCs are enjoyable, free, and inventive—the type of factor Apple talks up in ads however now not delivers. That’s why I’m a PC, and that’s why PCs are superior.
Additional studying: Why I’m switching to an eco-friendly laptop computer
