Best Premium Business Laptops for Professionals in 2026
Not so long ago, business laptops were painfully boring. Thankfully, things have changed a lot. In 2026, the best business laptops aren’t just built for Excel sheets and Zoom calls anymore. They now pack desktop-level performance, OLED displays that rival those on premium TVs, AI-powered productivity tools, and battery life that can actually last a long flight without making you fight for the airport charging socket.
This shift has also made choosing the right laptop way more confusing. Some machines focus entirely on portability for people constantly traveling between meetings, while others pack dedicated GPUs and AI chips for creators, developers, and multitaskers. To help narrow things down, we’ve rounded up some of the best business laptops you can buy right now.
1. ASUS ExpertBook Ultra 2026
The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra 2026 is a business notebook built on premium design and high-end AI performance for professionals and executives. With an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and an Intel Arc B390M graphics card, the device delivers top-notch AI-assisted performance across a range of applications. It features a 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD for superior multitasking and performance. Meanwhile, its 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and delivers accurate Pantone colors with HDR support.
Regarding connectivity, ASUS comes equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. For AI integration, ASUS has included the Intel NPU, Copilot+, and MyExpert AI. In addition, the use of a magnesium chassis ensures the computer is slim, durable, and lightweight, with a weight under 1 kilogram. The device comes with a 70 Wh battery and very fast charging, with the laptop reaching up to 50% in 30 minutes.
Best Features of ASUS ExpertBook Ultra 2026
Performance-oriented with powerful AI
Super fast solid-state drive (SSD)
Slim, lightweight, and strong body construction
Pantone-certified OLED display screen
Multitasking and creative-friendly
2. Dell 14 Premium
Dell 14 Premium focuses on the needs of professionals seeking a portable yet powerful, premium-design laptop. In terms of performance, Dell 14 Premium is one of the closest equivalents to MacBook Pro among professional-oriented Windows laptops. The inclusion of Intel Core Ultra processors and Nvidia RTX GPUs ensures that productivity and creative applications can be used comfortably while multitasking and performing AI-assisted operations.
Using Intel Core Ultra 7 processors along with an Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics processing unit (GPU) offers reliable computing capabilities in business and creativity-related purposes. It has a maximum memory size of 32 GB with a total storage volume of 2 TB. This laptop also features a 14.5-inch OLED touchscreen display, a slim metallic build, and wireless connectivity.
With its light metal frame, it is perfect for traveling professionals, while its OLED screen enhances viewing quality for any kind of presentations or editing.
Best Features of Dell 14 Premium
Optionally comes equipped with RTX 4050 for creative work
Lightweight premium design
Intel Core Ultra processor
OLED display
Excellent performance for business and productivity
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13The
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 laptop is designed specifically for business professionals who require dependable performance every day. This laptop has a robust carbon fiber design, along with AI features that help ensure privacy.
The laptop can incorporate the most advanced technologies thanks to Intel Core Ultra 7 and Intel Arc processors, enabling seamless multitasking. RAM capacity on the laptop is up to 64 GB, and memory space can go up to 2 TB. Moreover, this laptop incorporates a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display, providing excellent picture quality.
Lenovo has included various AI-based security tools to help business clients use the laptop more easily. Such tools include privacy alerts and tips about using a VPN. Connectivity via Thunderbolt 4, WiFi, and ports makes the laptop easy to use for business. In addition, carbon fiber and magnesium materials increase laptop durability and reduce weight.
Best Features of Lenovo ThinkPad X1
Premium lightweight business design
Excellent keyboard experience
AI-enhanced privacy and security tools
Powerful multitasking performance
High-quality OLED display
4. HP EliteBook Ultra G1i
The EliteBook Ultra G1i by HP is an ultralight laptop designed for business professionals who need improved performance and enhanced security. This device comes equipped with Intel Lunar Lake processors, intelligent AI technology, top-notch security, and an elegant OLED screen, enabling improved efficiency and productivity at work. It serves as a perfect companion for traveling businessmen and executives.
For connectivity, the laptop includes Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB 3.2 support, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. The HP also integrates enterprise-grade security features like BIOS protection, malware isolation, and remote lock/wipe capabilities. As for the laptop’s design, it is made of sturdy metal with an impressive matte finish and is quite light, at an estimated 1.18 kg. Furthermore, its battery will ensure that you can use it continuously for 13 hours.
Not so long ago, business laptops were painfully boring. Thankfully, things have changed a lot. In 2026, the best business laptops aren’t just built for Excel sheets and Zoom calls anymore. They now pack desktop-level performance, OLED displays that rival those on premium TVs, AI-powered productivity tools, and battery life that can actually last a long flight without making you fight for the airport charging socket.
This shift has also made choosing the right laptop way more confusing. Some machines focus entirely on portability for people constantly traveling between meetings, while others pack dedicated GPUs and AI chips for creators, developers, and multitaskers. To help narrow things down, we’ve rounded up some of the best business laptops you can buy right now.
1. ASUS ExpertBook Ultra 2026
The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra 2026 is a business notebook built on premium design and high-end AI performance for professionals and executives. With an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and an Intel Arc B390M graphics card, the device delivers top-notch AI-assisted performance across a range of applications. It features a 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD for superior multitasking and performance. Meanwhile, its 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and delivers accurate Pantone colors with HDR support.
Regarding connectivity, ASUS comes equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. For AI integration, ASUS has included the Intel NPU, Copilot+, and MyExpert AI. In addition, the use of a magnesium chassis ensures the computer is slim, durable, and lightweight, with a weight under 1 kilogram. The device comes with a 70 Wh battery and very fast charging, with the laptop reaching up to 50% in 30 minutes.
Best Features of ASUS ExpertBook Ultra 2026
Performance-oriented with powerful AI
Super fast solid-state drive (SSD)
Slim, lightweight, and strong body construction
Pantone-certified OLED display screen
Multitasking and creative-friendly
2. Dell 14 Premium
Dell 14 Premium focuses on the needs of professionals seeking a portable yet powerful, premium-design laptop. In terms of performance, Dell 14 Premium is one of the closest equivalents to MacBook Pro among professional-oriented Windows laptops. The inclusion of Intel Core Ultra processors and Nvidia RTX GPUs ensures that productivity and creative applications can be used comfortably while multitasking and performing AI-assisted operations.
Using Intel Core Ultra 7 processors along with an Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics processing unit (GPU) offers reliable computing capabilities in business and creativity-related purposes. It has a maximum memory size of 32 GB with a total storage volume of 2 TB. This laptop also features a 14.5-inch OLED touchscreen display, a slim metallic build, and wireless connectivity.
With its light metal frame, it is perfect for traveling professionals, while its OLED screen enhances viewing quality for any kind of presentations or editing.
Best Features of Dell 14 Premium
Optionally comes equipped with RTX 4050 for creative work
Lightweight premium design
Intel Core Ultra processor
OLED display
Excellent performance for business and productivity
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13The
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 laptop is designed specifically for business professionals who require dependable performance every day. This laptop has a robust carbon fiber design, along with AI features that help ensure privacy.
The laptop can incorporate the most advanced technologies thanks to Intel Core Ultra 7 and Intel Arc processors, enabling seamless multitasking. RAM capacity on the laptop is up to 64 GB, and memory space can go up to 2 TB. Moreover, this laptop incorporates a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display, providing excellent picture quality.
Lenovo has included various AI-based security tools to help business clients use the laptop more easily. Such tools include privacy alerts and tips about using a VPN. Connectivity via Thunderbolt 4, WiFi, and ports makes the laptop easy to use for business. In addition, carbon fiber and magnesium materials increase laptop durability and reduce weight.
Best Features of Lenovo ThinkPad X1
Premium lightweight business design
Excellent keyboard experience
AI-enhanced privacy and security tools
Powerful multitasking performance
High-quality OLED display
4. HP EliteBook Ultra G1i
The EliteBook Ultra G1i by HP is an ultralight laptop designed for business professionals who need improved performance and enhanced security. This device comes equipped with Intel Lunar Lake processors, intelligent AI technology, top-notch security, and an elegant OLED screen, enabling improved efficiency and productivity at work. It serves as a perfect companion for traveling businessmen and executives.
For connectivity, the laptop includes Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB 3.2 support, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. The HP also integrates enterprise-grade security features like BIOS protection, malware isolation, and remote lock/wipe capabilities. As for the laptop’s design, it is made of sturdy metal with an impressive matte finish and is quite light, at an estimated 1.18 kg. Furthermore, its battery will ensure that you can use it continuously for 13 hours.
Best Features of HP EliteBook Ultra G1i
Lightweight premium build
Excellent OLED touchscreen display
Strong AI-enhanced productivity performance
Advanced enterprise security tools
High-quality webcam and audio setup
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#Premium #Business #Laptops #Professionals
A well-functioning network can save hours of work, ensure data accuracy, and reduce gaps that slow down important projects. ProxyWing’s residential proxy network is a good option if you want a solution with flexible plans, reliable performance, and extensive coverage. ProxyWing has plans for people with a range of needs and budgets, such as marketers who want to keep an eye on their competitors, researchers who want to collect location-specific data, or marketers who want to monitor their own local search rankings. Look more closely at your options and see how the right residential proxy plan can help you learn more, get more done, and feel more confident about your choices.
Wrap Up
These days, the internet is becoming increasingly tailored to each person’s location. In different parts of the world, search results, ads, prices, information, and user experiences can vary widely. It is very important for marketers and academics to understand these differences.
The ProxyWing Residential Proxy provides access to a large residential IP network configured to deliver location-based visibility. It’s useful in many situations because it can target people by location, adapt to different session types, integrate with many systems, and consistently deliver results.
Whether you are monitoring SEO performance, advertising campaigns, customer behavior, academic research, or gathering data on a specific area, residential proxies can provide the information you need to make better decisions.
Based on our review, ProxyWing offers the key features researchers and marketers need, and its setup process is easy enough for both new and experienced users. It is a useful and effective residential proxy option for professionals who need location-specific information.
A well-functioning network can save hours of work, ensure data accuracy, and reduce gaps that slow down important projects. ProxyWing’s residential proxy network is a good option if you want a solution with flexible plans, reliable performance, and extensive coverage. ProxyWing has plans for people with a range of needs and budgets, such as marketers who want to keep an eye on their competitors, researchers who want to collect location-specific data, or marketers who want to monitor their own local search rankings. Look more closely at your options and see how the right residential proxy plan can help you learn more, get more done, and feel more confident about your choices.
Wrap Up
These days, the internet is becoming increasingly tailored to each person’s location. In different parts of the world, search results, ads, prices, information, and user experiences can vary widely. It is very important for marketers and academics to understand these differences.
The ProxyWing Residential Proxy provides access to a large residential IP network configured to deliver location-based visibility. It’s useful in many situations because it can target people by location, adapt to different session types, integrate with many systems, and consistently deliver results.
Whether you are monitoring SEO performance, advertising campaigns, customer behavior, academic research, or gathering data on a specific area, residential proxies can provide the information you need to make better decisions.
Based on our review, ProxyWing offers the key features researchers and marketers need, and its setup process is easy enough for both new and experienced users. It is a useful and effective residential proxy option for professionals who need location-specific information.
#ProxyWing #Residential #Proxy #Practical #Review #Marketers #ResearchersProxy">ProxyWing Residential Proxy: A Practical Review for Marketers and Researchers
Many websites will show you different prices, contents, ads, and search results depending on where you are. When marketers and academics see only one version of the internet, they might miss important information and draw the wrong conclusions.
Now is the time when residential proxies are useful. You can see websites from various places and get a better idea of what people all over the world see by routing internet data through real residential IP addresses.
What ProxyWing Offers Beyond Standard Residential Plans
One thing many residential proxy providers do is provide access to IP addresses. In a broader sense, ProxyWing is building a platform to address real-world business and study needs. The big residential IP pool is one of the best things about it. When a network is bigger, people can connect to more unique IP addresses from different places. This makes it easier to access location-sensitive information and reduces the number of restrictions that come with it.
One more benefit is that sessions can be changed. For some projects, IP addresses need to change all the time. Others need a connection that remains stable for longer. ProxyWing lets users choose between rotating sessions and sticky sessions, so they can use the feature that best fits their workflow.
Real Use Cases We Tested for Marketers
Often, marketing professionals need accurate information about the region to make decisions. We looked at several real-world examples to assess how well ProxyWing works in an everyday marketing environment.
1. Local Search Engine Result Tracking
In different towns and countries, we looked at how search results looked. With the residential IPs, it was easier to show correct localized search results.
2. Watching the prices of competitors
Marketing teams often keep an eye on their competitors. Location-specific pricing research was possible thanks to the network, which didn’t cause many problems.
3. Verification of Ad
We looked at different places or locations to see if online ads were showing up properly. Proxy servers let us see ads as people in our area would.
4. SEO Campaign Analysis
We looked at search results from several different areas. Results were more accurate at reflecting local search conditions than standard connections.
5. Tracking Affiliate Campaigns
Affiliate marketers must verify landing pages and tracking cnnections. Residential IPs offered dependable insights across various regions.
Real Use Cases We Tested for Researchers
Researchers often need knowledge that is both unbiased and relevant to the area. We put ProxyWing to the test in a number of research-related situations.
1. Getting information from schools
Researchers who are gathering public information from different places could more easily use statistics that are specific to those places.
2. News Monitoring
Headlines in different places are often different. The network lets people see news from an area’s perspective.
3. Studies of consumer behavior
Online behavior researchers could get a better picture of how people in different places interact with localized content.
4. Search Engine Research
Differences in search results across areas could be clearly seen and recorded.
5. Travel Data Collection
Travel prices vary widely depending on where you are, so residential IPs were useful for comparing how prices work across different areas.
6. Monitoring of digital policies
Researchers examining differences in internet rules and content could access web experiences specific to their location.
These examples showed how useful residential IP addresses are for gathering information important to a specific area.
Configuration and Integration Experience
Setting up is one of the things that worries beginners the most. Thanks to ProxyWing, the process is pretty easy to understand.
Users can easily manage their credentials, select locations, and set up sessions on the dashboard thanks to its well-organized layout.
We tested how well the integration worked in several common ways.
Configurations performed in a browser took only minutes to complete. Most users can simply enter proxy credentials and begin routing traffic through the residential network.
Standard proxy integration steps were used to set up automatic tools. The documentation was clear enough to help connect browser automation platforms, scraping tools, and data collection systems.
Common proxy standards will be useful for developers building custom software. Integration didn’t require many changes to the way things were done before.
The choices for managing sessions were especially helpful. Users could choose between rotating and sticky sessions based on the project’s needs.
Performance remained stable throughout extended testing periods, and connection reliability was suitable for ongoing data collection and monitoring.
Overall, the setting process felt easy enough for beginners to handle while still giving advanced users enough options.
Pricing and Plan Selection Guidance
The project’s goals, traffic needs, and projected usage levels will help you choose the best residential proxy plan. Long-term studies may require higher-volume plans so researchers can continue collecting data across multiple sites.
It’s more important to choose a plan based on how much you will actually use it than to pick the biggest package that’s offered. Estimating how much traffic you will use each month can help you make the most cost-effective choice.
A well-functioning network can save hours of work, ensure data accuracy, and reduce gaps that slow down important projects. ProxyWing’s residential proxy network is a good option if you want a solution with flexible plans, reliable performance, and extensive coverage. ProxyWing has plans for people with a range of needs and budgets, such as marketers who want to keep an eye on their competitors, researchers who want to collect location-specific data, or marketers who want to monitor their own local search rankings. Look more closely at your options and see how the right residential proxy plan can help you learn more, get more done, and feel more confident about your choices.
Wrap Up
These days, the internet is becoming increasingly tailored to each person’s location. In different parts of the world, search results, ads, prices, information, and user experiences can vary widely. It is very important for marketers and academics to understand these differences.
The ProxyWing Residential Proxy provides access to a large residential IP network configured to deliver location-based visibility. It’s useful in many situations because it can target people by location, adapt to different session types, integrate with many systems, and consistently deliver results.
Whether you are monitoring SEO performance, advertising campaigns, customer behavior, academic research, or gathering data on a specific area, residential proxies can provide the information you need to make better decisions.
Based on our review, ProxyWing offers the key features researchers and marketers need, and its setup process is easy enough for both new and experienced users. It is a useful and effective residential proxy option for professionals who need location-specific information.
“In season four of the Paramount+ Original Series, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise—led by Captain Christopher Pike—embark on a series of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars,” reads the official synopsis, which makes no mention of the puppet episode we know full well is coming.
“As they journey to strange new worlds, they will battle inner demons and external threats, encounter colorful new characters, reunite with familiar faces, and confront terrifying aliens. Through it all, they strive to embrace a bright, hopeful future.”
Strange New Worlds season four stars Anson Mount (Pike), Rebecca Romijn (Una Chin-Riley/Number One), Ethan Peck (Spock), Jess Bush (Christine Chapel), Christina Chong (La’an Noonien-Singh), Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura), Melissa Navia (Erica Ortega), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Martin Quinn (Scotty); Carol Kane (Pelia) and Paul Wesley (Kirk) guest star.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season four begins July 23 on Paramount+. It runs weekly, with new episodes arriving Thursdays through September 24.
“In season four of the Paramount+ Original Series, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise—led by Captain Christopher Pike—embark on a series of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars,” reads the official synopsis, which makes no mention of the puppet episode we know full well is coming.
“As they journey to strange new worlds, they will battle inner demons and external threats, encounter colorful new characters, reunite with familiar faces, and confront terrifying aliens. Through it all, they strive to embrace a bright, hopeful future.”
Strange New Worlds season four stars Anson Mount (Pike), Rebecca Romijn (Una Chin-Riley/Number One), Ethan Peck (Spock), Jess Bush (Christine Chapel), Christina Chong (La’an Noonien-Singh), Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura), Melissa Navia (Erica Ortega), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Martin Quinn (Scotty); Carol Kane (Pelia) and Paul Wesley (Kirk) guest star.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season four begins July 23 on Paramount+. It runs weekly, with new episodes arriving Thursdays through September 24.
#Strange #Worlds #Season #Trailer #Teases #Journey #Beginning #Star #TrekStar Trek: Strange New Worlds">‘Strange New Worlds’ Season 4 Trailer Teases the Journey to the Beginning of ‘Star Trek’
“In season four of the Paramount+ Original Series, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise—led by Captain Christopher Pike—embark on a series of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars,” reads the official synopsis, which makes no mention of the puppet episode we know full well is coming.
“As they journey to strange new worlds, they will battle inner demons and external threats, encounter colorful new characters, reunite with familiar faces, and confront terrifying aliens. Through it all, they strive to embrace a bright, hopeful future.”
Strange New Worlds season four stars Anson Mount (Pike), Rebecca Romijn (Una Chin-Riley/Number One), Ethan Peck (Spock), Jess Bush (Christine Chapel), Christina Chong (La’an Noonien-Singh), Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura), Melissa Navia (Erica Ortega), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Martin Quinn (Scotty); Carol Kane (Pelia) and Paul Wesley (Kirk) guest star.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season four begins July 23 on Paramount+. It runs weekly, with new episodes arriving Thursdays through September 24.
“This could be yours, chat,” the host says. “Wake it up.” The host’s face is hidden from view, with just their hands visible in front of stacks of iPhone, iPad, and MacBook boxes. The TikTok auction starts at $1. As the timer counts down, the price quickly shoots up, with a bid of over $100 scoring the win. After the bidding closes, a digital prize wheel appears and spins through multiple possible products before landing on what the high bidder just won: a teddy bear.
The winner was pissed. “I just paid $147 for a stuffed animal,” they wrote in the stream’s chatlog. “When I was bidding, you said that I could win that iPhone, and it gave me a BB3 Zodiac,” they said, referring to the Labubu-style plushie that retails for about $20. “That’s a scam. Please return my money.”
This person was not alone in their frustration. Multiple viewers of the stream were outraged when they placed high bids hoping to score Apple devices, only to learn their reward was the chance to spin a digital prize wheel that landed on something cheap. “Man, hell no. This is false advertising. Why would I pay $55 for a damn charger?” wrote another angry bidder. “Calling my bank now.” The demand for refunds was a common refrain.
This is all part of TikTok’s feature, called a “Surprise Set,” where auction hosts create buckets of up to 500 products and whoever bids the most walks away with a random pick from the available prizes. These streams often include a few big ticket items, like iPhones and iPads, to lure viewers in. The rest of the items are less desirable, like charging cords and pencil cases. This feature was added late last year to the platform and remains an invitation-only feature for sellers on TikTok.
Many of the streaming set-ups for these TikTok “Surprise Sets” look very similar: a pile of expensive products is shown on screen, with different hosts rallying a couple hundred concurrent viewers to bid higher and higher amounts. If a viewer taps on a small button in the lower left corner of the screen, they can see the live probability of winning each item as well as the full list of what items are still available.
The popularity of “Surprise Sets” on TikTok are emblematic of how gambling-like interactions currently dominate the experience of going online, where prediction markets and sports betting reign. People can even wager on the outcome of reality TV shows.
WIRED reached out to TikTok for comment on Wednesday of last week to share examples of frustrated viewers who felt scammed. One day later on Thursday, TikTok rolled out a change to its livestream policies and what hosts are allowed to do for “Surprise Sets.” (It’s a policy update that TikTok claims was already in the works.) Hosts are no longer allowed to include iPhones, iPads, televisions, diamonds, gift cards, or precious metals as part of the prizes available for viewers to win during surprise auctions. Following this rule change, hosts seem to be following the new guidelines, with no iPhones appearing in livestream “Surprise Sets” seen by WIRED.
“TikTok Shop requires all sellers, including those running Surprise Sets, to accurately present what is being offered. We will take enforcement action on violations of our policies, including removing products and suspending accounts,” TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe said in a statement to WIRED. If a buyer feels like they were misled, they can reach out to TikTok’s customer support to review the purchase.
“This could be yours, chat,” the host says. “Wake it up.” The host’s face is hidden from view, with just their hands visible in front of stacks of iPhone, iPad, and MacBook boxes. The TikTok auction starts at $1. As the timer counts down, the price quickly shoots up, with a bid of over $100 scoring the win. After the bidding closes, a digital prize wheel appears and spins through multiple possible products before landing on what the high bidder just won: a teddy bear.
The winner was pissed. “I just paid $147 for a stuffed animal,” they wrote in the stream’s chatlog. “When I was bidding, you said that I could win that iPhone, and it gave me a BB3 Zodiac,” they said, referring to the Labubu-style plushie that retails for about $20. “That’s a scam. Please return my money.”
This person was not alone in their frustration. Multiple viewers of the stream were outraged when they placed high bids hoping to score Apple devices, only to learn their reward was the chance to spin a digital prize wheel that landed on something cheap. “Man, hell no. This is false advertising. Why would I pay $55 for a damn charger?” wrote another angry bidder. “Calling my bank now.” The demand for refunds was a common refrain.
This is all part of TikTok’s feature, called a “Surprise Set,” where auction hosts create buckets of up to 500 products and whoever bids the most walks away with a random pick from the available prizes. These streams often include a few big ticket items, like iPhones and iPads, to lure viewers in. The rest of the items are less desirable, like charging cords and pencil cases. This feature was added late last year to the platform and remains an invitation-only feature for sellers on TikTok.
Many of the streaming set-ups for these TikTok “Surprise Sets” look very similar: a pile of expensive products is shown on screen, with different hosts rallying a couple hundred concurrent viewers to bid higher and higher amounts. If a viewer taps on a small button in the lower left corner of the screen, they can see the live probability of winning each item as well as the full list of what items are still available.
The popularity of “Surprise Sets” on TikTok are emblematic of how gambling-like interactions currently dominate the experience of going online, where prediction markets and sports betting reign. People can even wager on the outcome of reality TV shows.
WIRED reached out to TikTok for comment on Wednesday of last week to share examples of frustrated viewers who felt scammed. One day later on Thursday, TikTok rolled out a change to its livestream policies and what hosts are allowed to do for “Surprise Sets.” (It’s a policy update that TikTok claims was already in the works.) Hosts are no longer allowed to include iPhones, iPads, televisions, diamonds, gift cards, or precious metals as part of the prizes available for viewers to win during surprise auctions. Following this rule change, hosts seem to be following the new guidelines, with no iPhones appearing in livestream “Surprise Sets” seen by WIRED.
“TikTok Shop requires all sellers, including those running Surprise Sets, to accurately present what is being offered. We will take enforcement action on violations of our policies, including removing products and suspending accounts,” TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe said in a statement to WIRED. If a buyer feels like they were misled, they can reach out to TikTok’s customer support to review the purchase.
#TikTok #Shoppers #Thought #Bidding #iPhones #Won #Teddy #Bearstiktok,gambling,livestreaming,social media">TikTok Shoppers Thought They Were Bidding on iPhones. Instead, They Won Teddy Bears
A TikTok livestream host waves an iPhone box in front of the camera as around 250 viewers place their bids.
“This could be yours, chat,” the host says. “Wake it up.” The host’s face is hidden from view, with just their hands visible in front of stacks of iPhone, iPad, and MacBook boxes. The TikTok auction starts at $1. As the timer counts down, the price quickly shoots up, with a bid of over $100 scoring the win. After the bidding closes, a digital prize wheel appears and spins through multiple possible products before landing on what the high bidder just won: a teddy bear.
The winner was pissed. “I just paid $147 for a stuffed animal,” they wrote in the stream’s chatlog. “When I was bidding, you said that I could win that iPhone, and it gave me a BB3 Zodiac,” they said, referring to the Labubu-style plushie that retails for about $20. “That’s a scam. Please return my money.”
This person was not alone in their frustration. Multiple viewers of the stream were outraged when they placed high bids hoping to score Apple devices, only to learn their reward was the chance to spin a digital prize wheel that landed on something cheap. “Man, hell no. This is false advertising. Why would I pay $55 for a damn charger?” wrote another angry bidder. “Calling my bank now.” The demand for refunds was a common refrain.
This is all part of TikTok’s feature, called a “Surprise Set,” where auction hosts create buckets of up to 500 products and whoever bids the most walks away with a random pick from the available prizes. These streams often include a few big ticket items, like iPhones and iPads, to lure viewers in. The rest of the items are less desirable, like charging cords and pencil cases. This feature was added late last year to the platform and remains an invitation-only feature for sellers on TikTok.
Many of the streaming set-ups for these TikTok “Surprise Sets” look very similar: a pile of expensive products is shown on screen, with different hosts rallying a couple hundred concurrent viewers to bid higher and higher amounts. If a viewer taps on a small button in the lower left corner of the screen, they can see the live probability of winning each item as well as the full list of what items are still available.
The popularity of “Surprise Sets” on TikTok are emblematic of how gambling-like interactions currently dominate the experience of going online, where prediction markets and sports betting reign. People can even wager on the outcome of reality TV shows.
WIRED reached out to TikTok for comment on Wednesday of last week to share examples of frustrated viewers who felt scammed. One day later on Thursday, TikTok rolled out a change to its livestream policies and what hosts are allowed to do for “Surprise Sets.” (It’s a policy update that TikTok claims was already in the works.) Hosts are no longer allowed to include iPhones, iPads, televisions, diamonds, gift cards, or precious metals as part of the prizes available for viewers to win during surprise auctions. Following this rule change, hosts seem to be following the new guidelines, with no iPhones appearing in livestream “Surprise Sets” seen by WIRED.
“TikTok Shop requires all sellers, including those running Surprise Sets, to accurately present what is being offered. We will take enforcement action on violations of our policies, including removing products and suspending accounts,” TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe said in a statement to WIRED. If a buyer feels like they were misled, they can reach out to TikTok’s customer support to review the purchase.
#TikTok #Shoppers #Thought #Bidding #iPhones #Won #Teddy #Bearstiktok,gambling,livestreaming,social media
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