Chromebooks, but not MacBooks — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 15, 2025)
The opening Across clue leans on hardware classification and expects a solver to recall a foundational tech acronym. Below you will find the confirmed fill, the editorial logic that validates it, and tactical guidance for weaving it into a sub one minute mini solve. Apostrophes appear as ' and quotation marks render as " for HTML clarity.
1 Across
Chromebooks, but not MacBooks
The fill PCS abbreviates personal computers. Chromebooks run Chrome OS on open hardware platforms that sit squarely in the personal computer category, whereas branded MacBooks are marketed as Macs. That brand distinction keeps the acronym from applying to Apple's laptops within crossword canon.
Why PCS Fits the Clue
Definition Snapshot
- The clue contrasts two laptop families; only Chromebooks are categorized as personal computers in marketing shorthand.
- Word Tips hints spotlight the abbreviation, cross referencing "Mac competitors" to push solvers toward PCS instead of descriptive nouns like LAPTOPS.
- The plural clue wording "Chromebooks" aligns with the terminal S in PCS, reinforcing the letter pattern.
Cross-Letter Support
- 1-Down PAPUA confirms one of the three letters.
- 2-Down CHILD confirms one of the three letters.
- 3-Down SOLID confirms one of the three letters.
Speed Solving & Tech Context
Spot Category Keywords
When a clue pits two branded products against each other, expect an umbrella classification. Editors regularly use PCS, IMS, or IOS to separate competing ecosystems, making PCS a familiar veteran entry.
Check the Plural Signal
The plural subject "Chromebooks" signals that the answer should also resolve to a plural. A quick internal check of PCS versus PC immediately reveals the better structural fit.
Leverage Crossword Memory
PCS is a Monday-ready standby in both the Mini and the full-size crossword. Logging tech abbreviations such as CPU, USB, and PCS in memory drastically reduces hesitation when they appear again.
Align With Market Usage
Chrome OS machines are marketed as personal computers in school districts and enterprise catalogs, while MacBooks fall under Apple's proprietary Mac line. That real-world distinction is exactly the misdirection the clue relies on.
Extended Knowledge Boost
Related Entries
- PC
- IBM
- OS
- USB
Synonyms & Near Equivalents
- Personal computers
- Non-Mac laptops
- Windows machines
- Chromebook devices
Letter Pattern Insight
Expect consonant clusters in the top row: PCS delivers a clean trio that stabilizes crossings immediately. Slotting it early frees up attention for longer entries like WAHOO and JULIA later in the grid.