PC Pro – Issue 380, May 2026

Windows at a Crossroads

PC Pro Issue 380 arrives with a cover story that asks a question many IT teams are quietly debating: is Windows still the default? The feature “Windows R.I.P.” explores the pressures on Microsoft’s operating system from low-end hardware, gaming rigs, and alternative platforms. It’s not a funeral notice; it’s a clear-eyed look at where the desktop OS stands in 2026 and what that means for buyers and businesses.

Apple’s Bold Budget Move 🍎

Apple’s MacBook Neo takes the review spotlight. At £599, it brings the company into a price bracket it has long avoided. The issue examines what Apple sacrificed to hit that figure, including the shift to an A18 Pro processor previously seen in iPhones. The review considers whether the Neo is a genuine turning point for budget laptops or simply a clever piece of ecosystem building.

Linux Distros Under the Lens 💻

With Windows under scrutiny, PC Pro’s Labs puts eight leading Linux distributions through their paces. Fedora Workstation, Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, and others are compared for usability, hardware support, and everyday practicality. The tests are aimed at anyone curious about switching or extending the life of older hardware.

AI Workstations and Mobile Tech

The issue also compares Nvidia’s DGX Spark with the Corsair AI 300 Workstation, two very different approaches to local AI processing. Meanwhile, MWC 2026 coverage rounds up the most interesting phones, laptops, and concepts from Barcelona. There are reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, Google Pixel 10a, Apple iPhone 17e, and more.

Practical Advice and Regular Voices

Beyond the big features, Issue 380 investigates why devices charge more slowly than expected, explains how AI agents may reshape business software, and asks whether Firefox still matters in a Chrome-dominated world. Regular columnists including Dick Pountain, Nicole Kobie, Barry Collins, and Jon Honeyball add context, opinion, and occasional wit.

Who This Issue Is For

PC Pro is written for technology professionals, IT decision-makers, and enthusiasts who want independent testing and informed analysis. The mix of lab-based reviews, news briefing, and expert columns makes it useful for anyone tracking the direction of personal computing, from operating systems to AI hardware.

Inside Issue 380

• Cover feature: Is Windows still the default choice?
• Review: Apple MacBook Neo at £599
• Labs: Eight Linux distributions tested
• Comparison: Nvidia DGX Spark vs Corsair AI Workstation 300
• MWC 2026 highlights and mobile reviews
• Columns, reader letters, and real-world computing advice

Why It Matters

2026 looks like a year of genuine choice. Between Apple’s new budget laptop, the growing polish of Linux, and the arrival of local AI workstations, the assumptions that have guided PC buying for years are being tested. Issue 380 gathers those threads into one readable, opinionated package.