Three Generations. One Company.
A BlackBook 17, a Zero 14 and a Pro 18. Thirteen Years of BlackBooks at Catalyze.
In April 2013, Stuart Tyrrell bought a Venom BlackBook 17 for his company, Catalyze.
In March 2017 he added a BlackBook Zero 14, because he was travelling a lot and wanted something lighter.
In September 2026 he bought a BlackBook Pro 18.
When we checked in with him in November 2026, the Zero 14 was still his daily machine, more than nine years on, and the 2013 BlackBook 17 was still in his possession.
This ownership story records Stuart’s experience when we spoke with him in 2026. Shared with permission, including the company name. Stuart’s comments are his own words, lightly edited for readability.
The First Machine
Stuart’s first BlackBook was a 17-inch machine bought in April 2013.
It was his work and personal laptop: the one computer that did everything.
It is still in his possession today. He has not used it for a while, not because it stopped working, but because something lighter took over the travelling.
“My company has been using Venom laptops since the early days.”
The Zero 14 That Did the Travelling
In March 2017, Stuart added a BlackBook Zero 14.
“I was travelling a lot for work and the Zero is significantly lighter.”
That Zero 14 became his daily machine, and at our 2026 check-in it still was: more than nine years of daily use, with no upgrades and no replacement components reported.
It is the one he says he is keeping on.
After the Zero, Stuart bought two more BlackBooks for members of his family. Both were still in use in 2026.
The Third Generation
In September 2026, Stuart bought a BlackBook Pro 18.
Not because anything had failed. Thirteen years after the first BlackBook, the work had grown and the desk machine was due.
“Just bought a new one to replace my 10 year old Venom. Highly recommend Venom laptops.”
Three generations of BlackBook, bought thirteen years apart, two of them still in service and the third just beginning.
Why We Recorded This Story
A single long-lived laptop can be luck.
A company that bought its first BlackBook in 2013, its second in 2017, kept both, and came back for a third in 2026 is a pattern.
The 2017 Zero 14 is still doing the travelling. The 2013 BlackBook 17 was never thrown away. The Pro 18 was bought from the same company, thirteen years on.
That is what repeat ownership looks like when nothing forced it.
Ownership Snapshot
Owner: Stuart Tyrrell, Catalyze
BlackBooks: BlackBook 17 (April 2013), BlackBook Zero 14 (March 2017), BlackBook Pro 18 (September 2026)
Ownership check-in: November 2026
Zero 14 time as daily machine: More than 9 years
Upgrades: None reported
Replacement components: None reported
Status at check-in: Zero 14 still in daily use; Pro 18 newly in service; the 2013 BlackBook 17 retained
Built To Still Impress. Long After The Review Is Forgotten.
