desktop PCs Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

$800 million and 13 years later, here’s how you can play one of the world’s most expensive PC games for free

Star Citizen, developed by Cloud Imperium Games, has raised 0 million since its crowdfunding launch in 2012. A free access period for new players runs until May 27, allowing them to create a supporter account and access various content typically reserved for premium accounts. Players can engage in activities such as mining, cargo transport, and bounty hunting in a multiplayer environment. The minimum hardware requirements include a quad-core CPU, a GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM, 150GB of storage, and a minimum of 16GB of RAM. An SSD is recommended for better performance. The game is compatible with gaming laptops that meet the specifications.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Ending Soon: Upgrade Your PC to Windows 11 Pro or Home for Only $15

Microsoft will phase out support for Windows 10 in October 2025, making the transition to Windows 11 important. The official price for Windows 11 Pro is 9 when purchased directly from Microsoft. StackSocial is offering Windows 11 Pro at a reduced price, although the specific amount is not provided. Windows 11 Pro includes features like DirectX 12 Ultimate, BitLocker device encryption, Azure-AD integration, and Hyper-V. Customers will receive a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro upon purchase, and they must ensure their computer meets the minimum system requirements for installation. There is a 30-day window to redeem the download code before it expires.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Windows 11’s awful search is getting an AI boost soon, and that’s not all

Microsoft is set to release updates for Windows 11, focusing on user experience through artificial intelligence. Two preview builds, Windows 11 Build 26100.3613 and Windows 11 Build 26100.3624, are available to Windows Insiders, with an official rollout expected in April. Key features include: - Introduction of semantic search, allowing users to search using natural language instead of exact keywords, initially available on Snapdragon-powered devices. - Live captions and real-time translation for AMD and Intel Copilot+ PCs, translating spoken content into English, while Snapdragon users can translate English into Chinese. - Enhancements to Voice Access, allowing users to describe commands and adding support for the Chinese language. - New "cards" in the Settings app displaying key specifications like CPU, memory, and storage. - Modifications to Task Manager for tracking CPU utilization. - A new Xbox gamepad keyboard interface for desktop PCs. - An updated emoji interface with a new system tray icon for easier emoji insertion. - Improvements to widgets for better control over lock screen display.

Winsage

March 15, 2025

Valve’s Promise Comes True With SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview: Offers Support To Non-Steam Deck Handhelds And Plasma 6 For Linux Desktop-Like Experience

Valve has released the SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview, known as "Pi Day," which includes several enhancements for the Steam Deck. Key updates include: - Upgraded Arch Linux base for better software access and security updates. - Linux Kernel updated to version 6.11 for improved performance, security, and hardware compatibility. - Transition from Plasma 5.7 to Plasma 6.2.5, offering a more feature-rich desktop environment. - Updates across various domains, including Controllers & Input, Bluetooth, Graphics & Performance, and bug fixes. - Improved surround sound support in desktop mode and faster transitions between desktop and gaming modes. - Enhanced compatibility with certain displays and activation of AMD P-State CPU frequency control. - Initial support for non-Steam Deck handhelds, with the Legion Go S being the only compatible device currently. Many features are still in testing and can be accessed via Settings > System > System Update Channel.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Google Play Games Announces Major Expansion on PC

Google has expanded its Google Play Games on PC platform to support native PC games in addition to mobile offerings. This initiative aims to help developers connect with a larger player base. The expansion includes a Play Games PC SDK for native PC games, featuring in-app purchase integration, enhanced security, simplified game packaging, and an earnback bonus of up to 15 percent. Mobile games will now be available on PC by default, with developers able to opt out. A “playable” badge will indicate games that meet performance requirements, while an “optimized” badge will show adherence to Google’s quality standards. The platform now supports AMD desktop PCs and laptops, and introduces new features like controls customization and a game sidebar for quick adjustments.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

Windows 10 is supposed to be dying, so why are gamers running back to it?

Windows 10 is set to reach its end-of-life on October 14, 2025. As of April 2023, Windows 10 held a 71.6% share of the global desktop market, which decreased to 69.9% by April 2024 and fell to 58.7% by February 2024. In contrast, Windows 11's market share increased to 38.1%. Despite the overall trend favoring Windows 11, gamers are still favoring Windows 10, with a 10.4% increase in Windows 10 64-bit users and a 9.3% decrease in Windows 11 64-bit users among Steam users. The rise in users selecting Simplified Chinese as their preferred language on Steam may be contributing to Windows 10's resurgence, with only 26.4% of users in China using Windows 11. Windows 7 still holds a 16.5% share among desktop PCs in China.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

NHS cyber security concerns raised about move to Windows 11

Concerns are rising about cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the NHS as it transitions to Windows 11, especially since Microsoft will stop security updates for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Many NHS institutions are facing hardware limitations that may hinder this upgrade. The NHS's device configuration has shifted from approximately 70% desktop PCs and 30% laptops to an estimated 80% laptops, many of which are now five years old due to the pandemic-related distribution surge. This aging technology poses significant risks, as the NHS capital budget has not increased to address the need for updates. A spokesperson for NHS England confirmed a five-year deal with Microsoft for security solutions, urging organizations to transition to Windows 11 before the end of Windows 10 support. Additionally, a 2022 British Medical Association report indicated that over 13.5 million hours of doctors' time were lost annually due to inadequate IT systems, with 80% of doctors believing that improved IT infrastructure would help address backlogs.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Sick of laptop docks and spaghetti cables, I moved my entire daily workflow to a Windows 11 PC no bigger than a bagel

The author discusses their experience with various PC hardware, particularly focusing on the advantages of mini PCs like the Beelink SER9 and Geekom A8|A7 models compared to laptops and desktops. They highlight the Lenovo Slim 7i 14 (Gen 9) laptop for its features but note its inconvenience due to the inactive power button when closed. The author finds that a mini Windows PC, such as the Geekom A8 Max with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and 32GB of RAM, effectively addresses their needs for a compact and powerful setup. The Geekom A8 Max is priced just under ,000 and offers ample I/O options, including dual HDMI-out ports. The author appreciates the mini PC's performance, silent operation, and ability to handle multiple tasks without storage or RAM concerns.