chipset

Winsage
January 6, 2026
Qualcomm will start shipping new PCs with the Snapdragon X2 chipset by April 2026. This coincides with Microsoft testing Windows 11 26H1, which is designed for these new CPUs and will only be available on new Arm64 PCs. Windows 11 26H1 is not an update for existing PCs and will not be accessible to Intel or AMD users. Since November 2025, Windows Insiders have been testing this version, which is based on a platform release codenamed ‘Bromine’ and includes support for Snapdragon X2 Plus, Elite, and Extreme models. Microsoft has stated that 26H1 is aimed at supporting new processors and may involve changes to power states and scheduling. The build number for this version is 28000, and while there are minor user interface improvements, significant changes are expected in the upcoming Windows 11 26H2 release, anticipated for October 2026.
Winsage
December 30, 2025
Windows updates can enhance system stability and performance, but they often lead to issues such as stutters and slowdowns due to the unpredictable nature of how updates affect system behavior. Microsoft's release notes do not provide comprehensive details about changes, which can include adjustments to task scheduling, background services, and driver interactions. Independent driver updates, particularly for GPUs and chipsets, can also impact performance negatively. Users have reported significant performance declines after updates, sometimes requiring hotfixes. To manage updates effectively, users can treat Windows updates as optional, be conservative with driver updates, stabilize power management settings, and ensure rollback options are available. This approach can lead to a more predictable and stable system performance.
BetaBeacon
December 19, 2025
The OnePlus 15 was tested for gaming performance using games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Genshin Impact. The phone performed well under pressure, dissipating heat effectively. Emulation tests for PS3 and Windows games were also conducted, with the phone handling them smoothly. The phone did not overheat during testing, indicating that OnePlus has fixed previous heating issues. The reviewer recommends the OnePlus 15 for potential buyers due to its stable performance and recent fixes for heating problems.
BetaBeacon
December 9, 2025
Google announced the upcoming release of Android XR Edition in 2026, offering immersive experiences for games, videos, and websites. Android XR is the only platform for headsets that allows for converting videos into 3D. The XR2+ Gen 2 chipset powering Android XR can handle real-time spatialization. The autospatialization feature can work with multiple apps simultaneously and was demonstrated during a presentation of Cities: Skylines. Android XR will launch for Samsung Galaxy XR next year.
BetaBeacon
December 2, 2025
ANBERNIC has announced the launch of the RG 477V, a new vertical handheld gaming device with a 4:3 4.7-inch 120Hz screen and powered by a Dimensity 8300 chipset. The release date and pricing are yet to be revealed, but it is expected to hit the market soon.
Winsage
December 2, 2025
Large Windows updates involve reconfiguring system files, installing components, updating drivers, and initiating post-update tasks, which can temporarily slow down performance, especially on older hardware. The Windows Module Installer (TiWorker.exe) finalizes updates and may trigger cleanup and maintenance tasks, consuming CPU and disk resources. Outdated or incompatible drivers can hinder performance, leading to sluggish boot times and reduced gaming frame rates. The indexing feature may intensify after a major update, increasing CPU and disk usage. Major updates can reset user-defined settings and reintroduce background processes and applications, causing additional resource consumption. Cumulative updates may lead to performance issues due to memory leaks or driver conflicts, and Microsoft provides a "Windows release health" dashboard for tracking known issues. Slowdowns after updates are typically temporary, lasting from a few minutes to several hours, but persistent issues may require further investigation.
AppWizard
November 28, 2025
Gaming enthusiasts can find various Black Friday deals, including: - PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for 9 at Walmart (a 0 discount). - PlayStation 5 Pro for 9 at Amazon (tied for the lowest price). - Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World for 9 at Amazon (no discount). - Donkey Kong Country Returns at Target (new low price). - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom at Target (new low price). - Super Mario Odyssey at Walmart (discounted). - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door at Best Buy (new low price). - Sony DualSense controller at Amazon (discounted). - Sony DualSense Edge controller for 9 at Amazon (best price to date). - PlayStation Plus Premium (12-month) for at PlayStation (discounted). - Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox (2TB) for at Amazon (discounted). - Clair Obscur for PlayStation (acclaimed RPG). - Battlefield 6 at GameStop (discounted). - Steam Deck for 9 at Steam (20% discount). - Lenovo Legion Go S for 9 at Best Buy (new low price). - Meta Quest 2 for 9 at Amazon (includes credit). - PlayStation VR2 + Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle for 9 at Amazon (no discount). - Lemokey P1 HE for at Amazon (best price for Prime members). - ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless for 9 at Amazon (all-time low). - Razer Viper V3 Pro for at Amazon (lowest price in months). - Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed at Amazon (discounted). - Turtle Beach Atlas Air for at Amazon (best price since February). - HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 at Amazon (budget-friendly option).
AppWizard
November 20, 2025
The Meta Quest 3 is highlighted for its affordability, solid hardware, and a rich library of exclusive games. The Meta Quest 3S, a budget-friendly alternative, is currently available at a discount as part of early Black Friday promotions. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, 8GB of RAM, and improved weight distribution. The Meta Quest 3S is rated 7/10 and is recommended for first-time buyers or those upgrading from the Quest 2. It supports standalone and PCVR gaming, allowing access to titles like Batman: Arkham Shadow and Deadpool VR, as well as streaming PCVR games. The 128GB model is priced at 9.99 on Amazon, bundled with a Gorilla Tag skin and a three-month trial of the Horizon+ service, while the 256GB version is available for 9.99, including the same trial and a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow. The discount is part of an early Black Friday sale, suggesting availability until December 1, 2025.
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