Basket Tech News Roundup: Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft and GTA VI
- Dimitris Schoen
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Apple Sparks Debate by Selling MacBooks Without Chargers
We begin this week's technology roundup with a topic that has generated considerable discussion in Switzerland and beyond.
During a recent visit to a major electronics retailer, we noticed something surprising: new MacBooks were being sold without a charger included in the box. At first, we assumed it was a retail error. Unfortunately, it was not.
A quick check of Apple's official website confirmed the situation. Take the new MacBook Neo, for example, which starts at 579 Swiss francs. While that may appear to be the purchase price, new customers must also buy a compatible charger separately before they can fully use the device.
Apple's official 70W USB-C power adapter costs 49.99 francs. In reality, the total cost for a new customer rises to around 629.99 fr
This marks a significant departure from the traditional Apple experience that Steve Jobs once championed: opening the box, plugging in the device, and getting started immediately.
Unlike smartphones, MacBooks require chargers that support specific power outputs and USB-C Power Delivery standards. While some users may already own compatible chargers, many new customers will not. Using low-quality or incompatible charging accessories can lead to slower charging speeds and, in some cases, potential damage to the device.
At Basket, we understand the environmental arguments often used to justify removing accessories from product packaging. However, for a premium laptop, we believe a charger remains an essential part of the overall experience.
Customers upgrading from a recent MacBook may already have compatible charging equipment. For first-time buyers, however, the additional cost can come as an unwelcome surprise.
For those considering an Apple purchase, Basket recommends looking at previous-generation MacBook models when available. In many cases, they remain highly capable machines and often include all the accessories needed to get started.
Nvidia Unveils the New RTX Spark Chip
Moving to the PC world, Nvidia has introduced its latest high-performance processor: the RTX Spark.
Presented by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the new chip aims to strengthen Nvidia's position against competitors such as Intel and AMD. The company is promising major advances in graphics processing, artificial intelligence, and overall computing performance.
According to Nvidia, the RTX Spark features a 12-core architecture, boost clock speeds of up to 5.0 GHz, and support for up to 32 GB of high-speed GDDR7 memory.
Nvidia claims the chip can deliver up to 40 per cent better performance compared with previous RTX generations. Advanced ray tracing capabilities and dedicated AI acceleration make it particularly attractive for gaming, content creation, 3D rendering, and machine-learning workloads.
One of the first devices expected to feature the new RTX Spark processor is Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra, a premium machine designed to showcase the chip's capabilities.
Basket will continue to monitor early reviews and performance benchmarks as the first RTX Spark-powered devices become available.
All Eyes on Microsoft's Build Conference
Microsoft's annual Build conference is underway, and anticipation is running high across the technology industry.
This year's event is expected to focus heavily on artificial intelligence. Industry rumours suggest Microsoft could unveil major upgrades to Copilot and introduce more advanced AI Agent capabilities designed to automate complex workflows.
There is also growing speculation that Microsoft may provide an early glimpse of the future of Windows, with reports pointing to enhanced AI integration, smarter widgets, and interface improvements.
Developers are also hoping for updates to Microsoft Edge, Azure cloud services, and productivity tools across the Microsoft ecosystem.
Even if a next-generation version of Windows is not officially announced, users can likely expect a range of new features and enhancements coming to Windows 11 in the months ahead.
Basket will follow all major announcements and provide coverage throughout the conference.
Grand Theft Auto VI Finally Gets a Release Date
To end this week's roundup on a positive note, one of the most anticipated games of the decade finally has an official release date.
Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
At the time of writing, Rockstar has not announced a release date for PC players. The company has also not revealed plans for additional platforms, including Nintendo's systems.
Historically, PC versions of Grand Theft Auto titles have launched months after their console counterparts, meaning PC gamers may need to be patient.
Nevertheless, excitement for GTA VI continues to build worldwide, with many analysts predicting it could become one of the biggest entertainment launches in history.
Basket will continue tracking all official announcements from Rockstar as we move closer to launch day.