computex Archives

Winsage

June 17, 2026

NVIDIA’s RTX Spark launch is huge, but Qualcomm and Microsoft built the Windows ARM foundation

Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X Elite in 2023, an ARM-based processor that outperformed traditional x86 processors. The Snapdragon X Series featured a custom Oryon core design and was optimized for Windows through collaboration with Microsoft, including the introduction of the Prism emulation layer, which allows x86/x64 applications to run on ARM. Many applications, such as Adobe Illustrator and Discord, now run natively on ARM, showing significant performance improvements. By 2026, NVIDIA unveiled the RTX Spark, an ARM-powered system on a chip, developed with MediaTek, featuring an ARM Cortex CPU and a Blackwell RTX GPU. NVIDIA also announced improvements to Windows for better workload scheduling and support for kernel-level anti-cheat software on Windows ARM.

Winsage

June 16, 2026

“My jaw dropped”: Dell just launched its new $599 XPS 13, and I don’t think the Windows 11 laptop market will ever be the same

Dell's XPS 13 has been released with a starting price of 9 for students and ,199 for other customers. It features Intel Core Series 3 processors, a 13.4-inch display with 2.5K resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The laptop includes Dolby Atmos tuning, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and a 1080p webcam with an IR sensor. Upcoming models will have Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and an additional Storm color option. The XPS 13 allows RAM upgrades to 16GB or 32GB, unlike the MacBook Neo, which has a fixed 8GB limit. Initial reviews have been positive, highlighting its design and pricing.

Winsage

June 11, 2026

“Not only viable but quite enjoyable”: I used Windows 11 with 8GB of RAM to see if it’s as bad as everyone says

Dell unveiled the XPS 13 at Computex, starting at 9 for students and ,199 for the general public. The device features a baseline configuration of 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core Series 3 chip with integrated LPDDR5x memory. The XPS 13 offers a memory bandwidth of 60GB/s, significantly higher than the 10.6GB/s of an older Windows 11 desktop with 8GB of single-channel DDR4 RAM. During testing, the XPS 13 handled multitasking well, with memory usage peaking at 7.2GB while running multiple applications and a 4K video stream. The laptop is set to launch on June 16, 2026.

Winsage

June 11, 2026

Computex 2026: Empowering a billion users with Windows across the ecosystem

Computex has been a significant event for the PC industry, showcasing innovations in hardware, silicon, and user experiences. This year, partners revealed a variety of Windows 11 PCs aimed at diverse user needs. Acer introduced several laptops, including the Aspire X 16 AI for prosumers, the Aspire 18 AI for creative tasks, and the Swift Spin 14 AI, which features both Intel Core Ultra Series 3 and Snapdragon X2 Series processors. ASUS launched its AI PC portfolio with the ProArt P16 and P14 laptops powered by NVIDIA RTX Spark, and the Zenbook 14 for everyday consumers. The ROG Strix SCAR 18 gaming laptop features an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. Dell unveiled the XPS 13, which is the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop, offering up to 17 hours of battery life and a 2.5K touchscreen. The XPS 16 Creator Edition is designed for creative tasks with NVIDIA RTX Spark technology. HP plans to integrate RTX Spark into its OmniBook Ultra 16 and OmniBook X 14 laptops and will expand its offerings with a compact desktop for creators and AI enthusiasts. MSI introduced the Prestige N16 Flip AI+, a laptop developed with NVIDIA, featuring a 16-inch UHD+ display and a 2-in-1 design. They also announced the Claw 8 EX AI+, a handheld gaming device powered by Intel Arc G3 Extreme processors. The Surface Laptop Ultra is the most powerful Surface Laptop to date, featuring an NVIDIA RTX Spark superchip and a 15-inch mini-LED touchscreen. Intel introduced the Intel Arc G-Series processors for handheld gaming systems, while NVIDIA unveiled the RTX Spark superchip for personal AI agents on Windows devices. Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon C Platform, aimed at providing efficient performance for students and small businesses, with Acer and ASUS already adopting this technology.

Winsage

June 7, 2026

Windows just had an amazing week: Between silicon, devices, and OS improvements, I am excited to be a Windows user again

The Windows platform has seen a resurgence, particularly during Microsoft Build and Computex 2026, with a focus on enhancing the Windows experience. NVIDIA introduced the RTX Spark superchip, advancing Windows on Arm technology and competing with Apple's offerings. Intel's Wildcat Lake chips promise better performance and battery efficiency for laptops. Recent tests of the Dell XPS 13 and Acer Swift Air 14 showed high quality, with the Dell XPS 13 being a strong competitor to the MacBook Air. Microsoft is improving Windows 11 for devices with 8GB of RAM and launching features like Low Latency Profile. The Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface Dev Box, powered by RTX Spark, aim to support developers and position Windows as a leading platform for software and AI development. Microsoft is shifting its strategy to compete directly with Apple in the professional space, with the Surface Laptop Ultra appealing to users of the MacBook Pro. The Windows K2 initiative addresses concerns about the platform, aiming to improve its reputation. Windows now has viable alternatives to Apple's MacBook lineup, with upcoming RTX Spark laptops offering competitive pricing and quality. Qualcomm's Snapdragon C SoC targets the low-end market, competing with Chromebooks. The growing number of compelling Windows laptops makes it harder for reviewers to recommend MacBooks as the default choice for consumers, indicating a significant market shift.

Winsage

June 4, 2026

Microsoft drives developers toward native Windows apps at Build 2026

Microsoft is focusing on increasing native applications and components in Windows 11 to improve performance and user experiences. At the Build 2026 conference, Microsoft encouraged third-party developers to create native applications through a series of sessions and provided tools and resources for this purpose. The Windows K2 initiative aims to transform key elements like the Start menu into native components. A session titled "Use agents to build WinUI 3 apps" discussed strategies for developing native applications, including the use of AI tools like the WinUI agent plugin for GitHub Copilot. Microsoft also introduced WinUI 3 templates to streamline native app creation and emphasized the modernization of applications beyond just code rewriting. The Surface Laptop Ultra, announced at Computex, is designed for AI workloads, featuring up to 128GB of RAM and built on the NVIDIA RTX Spark platform, which includes a 20-core Arm N1x CPU and an RTX GPU with up to 6,144 cores, delivering 1 petaflop of AI computing power. This device aims to attract developers to Microsoft's ecosystem.

Winsage

June 3, 2026

The Future Microsoft Showed at Build 2026 Barely Looks Like Windows

During the Build 2026 conference, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the potential of AI agents in various sectors and introduced OpenClaw, an AI agent system. Microsoft showcased a local AI agent that attempted to delete user files but failed, emphasizing safety and the promotion of OpenClaw-style AI agents on personal computers. To support this, Microsoft introduced Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC) for secure operation of OpenClaw on Windows and a companion app. The Nvidia RTX Spark-powered Surface Laptop Ultra was highlighted as capable of running AI agents locally without internet reliance. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang discussed the future of AI agents, envisioning PCs as autonomous tools. Microsoft aims to optimize Windows for AI functionalities, potentially integrating AI agents into the user experience. Security concerns surrounding OpenClaw led to the introduction of MXCs, which allow control over AI agent permissions. The demonstration of OpenClaw's failure was seen as a positive indication of security measures. Despite advancements, the practical applications of AI agents for everyday Windows users remain unclear.

Winsage

June 3, 2026

One of Microsoft’s best apps now has an experimental sibling because, you guessed it, it’s been stuffed with AI

Microsoft has introduced the Intelligent Terminal, an experimental version of the Windows Terminal that integrates AI capabilities while keeping the core Windows Terminal unchanged. Users can access it via the Microsoft Store, winget, or GitHub, with GitHub Copilot as the default AI agent, though users can choose other compatible agents. Early reactions include skepticism about AI, but many users appreciate that the standard Windows Terminal remains intact.

Winsage

June 2, 2026

ARM CEO gifts Nvidia CEO Huang with historic Windows-ARM device

ARM showcased its latest innovations at Computex, highlighting advancements in mobile and embedded computing that enhance performance and prioritize energy efficiency. The company unveiled new processor designs for artificial intelligence, automotive, and IoT sectors, focusing on superior processing power with low power consumption. Notable announcements included the ARM Cortex-X3, aimed at improving mobile gaming and streaming experiences with enhanced graphics performance. ARM also announced partnerships to foster a robust ecosystem for seamless integration of its technologies. The new designs incorporate advanced AI capabilities for smarter devices, are tailored for automotive safety and connectivity, and are optimized for IoT applications.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Forget AI: Nvidia RTX Spark could be game-changing for gaming handhelds

Nvidia unveiled the RTX Spark chips at Computex 2026, featuring a 20-core Nvidia Grace CPU and an Nvidia Blackwell RTX GPU with 6,144 CUDA cores, comparable to the GeForce RTX 5070 desktop GPU. The chips utilize NVLINK technology for faster data transfer than PCI Express. They support DLSS 4.5 upscaling technology, which enhances performance without the issues of DLSS 5. Currently, the gaming handheld market has limited DLSS support, with the Nintendo Switch 2 being an exception. Community feedback indicates a preference for DLSS 4.5 over native visuals. RTX Spark chips are expected to debut in laptops and mini PCs by the end of 2026, with potential for handheld gaming devices. Pricing and power consumption remain uncertain, and Nvidia's DGX Spark mini PC retails for ,699, suggesting high costs for RTX Spark systems. Nvidia claims these laptops will run AAA games at 1440p and over 100 frames per second, but details on power draw and battery life are unclear.