experiences Archives

Winsage

December 28, 2024

I’ve been a Windows on Arm user for years — Snapdragon X Elite has changed everything

The author has been using Arm-based computers, specifically an M1 Mac Mini and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows two-in-one PC, and has found Apple's silicon consistently impressive while Microsoft's offerings have lagged. In April 2024, Microsoft introduced the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, enhancing the compatibility layer for applications on Windows on Arm through a new emulator called Prism, which matches the efficiency of Apple's Rosetta 2. Testing the Honor MagicBook 14 Art, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, revealed significant improvements, including native support for previously struggling applications like Google Drive and ExpressVPN. The MagicBook features a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, offering seamless application launch and multitasking without the random freezes seen in earlier models. Its thermal performance is commendable, achieving around ten hours of usage in "Balanced" mode. The device also includes a Neural Processing Unit for enhanced AI capabilities. Compatibility advancements allow mainstream applications to run natively, and upcoming Windows updates promise to expand this further. The MagicBook 14 Art is priced at approximately ,750, featuring 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a detachable webcam for privacy. Despite the progress, the market for Snapdragon X computers remains niche, and Qualcomm's disputes with Arm could impact future sales.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

What a Minecraft Game Made in Unreal Engine 5 Could Look Like

Digital Dreams has reimagined Minecraft using Unreal Engine 5, resulting in impressive visuals that surpass those of a movie featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. The hardware requirements for this version include a Gigabyte Aorus X670 AX motherboard, AMD Ryzen 9 7950x processor, Kingston Fury 6000MHz RAM, NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics card, and Samsung 970 EVO SSD. LEGO has released The Crafting Table building set to celebrate Minecraft's 15th anniversary, designed for adult fans. This set features 12 biomes, including Deep Dark and Lush Cave, and includes five mini builds and eight micro figures, such as Steve and Creeper.

AppWizard

December 27, 2024

Alan Wake 2 set such a high technical bar last year that few games in 2024 came anywhere near, but it wasn’t all abject disappointment

Alan Wake 2 debuted late last year, leading to assumptions of a 2024 release. Dragon's Dogma 2 launched in March but had excessive hardware demands and inconsistent performance. Nixxes Software's port of Horizon Forbidden West showcased effective traditional rendering. In May, Nixxes also released the Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, which lacked ray tracing but was well-executed. June saw the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, the first expansion for Elden Ring, which did not include engine updates, causing performance issues for PC gamers. In August, Black Myth: Wukong and Star Wars Outlaws featured ray tracing but faced performance issues. September brought a port of God of War Ragnarök and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, both performing well. The Silent Hill 2 remake encountered glitches and performance issues on PC, while Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 struggled at launch. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl had visual appeal but suffered from performance problems and required patches for stability. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle performed well on lower-end hardware but was glitchy. High-profile titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are anticipated for 2025.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

How to create your own bootable Windows 11 SSD for the Steam Deck

The Steam Deck operates on Linux, which limits access to certain games and services that require Windows, such as PC Game Pass titles and multiplayer games with anti-cheat software. Users can integrate Windows 11 into their Steam Deck by creating a portable version on a USB-C SSD. Recommended SSD options include the Crucial X6 2 TB SSD or a Genki SavePoint SSD enclosure for M.2 2230-size SSDs. To download Windows 11, users should visit Microsoft's website and select the appropriate ISO file. Creating a bootable drive involves using Rufus to set up the SSD with Windows 11. After downloading Valve's official drivers for the Steam Deck, users can boot into Windows by connecting the SSD and selecting it from the drive selector screen. Adjustments may be needed for display settings, and installing the Steam Deck drivers is recommended for optimal functionality. Once set up, users can access a wider range of PC gaming experiences, including the Xbox app for PC Game Pass titles.

AppWizard

December 27, 2024

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Is Coming To PC On January 30th – Latest Updates

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 was released on PlayStation 5 on October 20, 2023. It is set to launch on PC platforms on January 30, 2025, available through Steam and the Epic Games Store. The PC version will be developed by Nixxes Software and will include all updates and enhancements from the PS5 edition, such as new suits, a New Game+ mode, increased difficulty levels, new styles for the Symbiote suit, options to modify the time of day, and additional post-story challenges. The game was part of Sony's strategy to bring more PlayStation exclusives to PC. Pre-order bonuses included early access to specific suits and gadgets, and various editions were available at launch, including a Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and Collector’s Edition.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 24H2 installation issues, newer updates fail for some PCs

Windows 11 24H2 is a stable update compared to its predecessors, but users may face a significant bug that prevents new cumulative updates from installing if they used an updated ISO during installation. The issue arises when using a USB drive or other media to install Windows 11 24H2 with the October or November 2024 security updates, which can disrupt Windows Update. Problems can occur when using third-party tools to create a custom installation or modifying installation media, leading to conflicts with Windows Update. Microsoft does not provide additional ISO files with integrated newer updates, and users who customize their installation media may be unable to apply future updates. Microsoft has acknowledged that this issue affects a small number of PCs and recommends using the Media Creation Tool to create new installation media and reinstall the operating system as a workaround. A fix is expected to be addressed in January.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Windows 11 KB5048685 Update causes Wi-Fi and Start Menu to stop working

The KB5048685 Update for Windows 11 23H2, released on December 10, has caused issues for users, including freezing of the Start Menu and Wi-Fi connectivity problems. The Start Menu may become unresponsive, displaying a white backdrop in dark mode, affecting users of both Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2. A workaround involves modifying the Windows Registry. Additionally, some users with AMD processors have reported installation failures with error code 0x80070002. Solutions suggested include checking the Windows Update service and using recovery options in settings. Personal experiences with the update vary, with some users not encountering issues, while others have faced significant problems.

AppWizard

December 27, 2024

DeathSprint 66 combines one of my favourite mods with one of my favourite movies

DeathSprint 66 is a game inspired by Stephen King's The Running Man and its '80s film adaptation. It features a neon-drenched future where players navigate deadly obstacles in a race for survival. The game incorporates elements from surfing mods and transforms them into a fast-paced challenge with PvE courses for practice. Players face numerous deaths and respawns as they navigate through traps. The PvP mode allows up to eight players to compete in chaotic races without weapons, focusing on strategy and speed. Players can deploy traps to eliminate competitors, adding depth to the gameplay. The game emphasizes precision and control, creating moments of triumph and failure in a competitive environment.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

Minecraft end-of-year trailer celebrates incredible player achievements in 2024

Minecraft's end-of-year trailer for 2024 showcases player accomplishments, highlighting features like trial chambers, bundles, and the Pale Garden biome. The game has over 170 million active players, who have explored more than 85 million biomes, crafted over a million pieces of wolf armor, tamed over a million wolves, and defeated 20 million breeze mobs. Players have collected over 44 million items from the Armadillo mob, opened 24 million regular vaults and four million ominous vaults, and gathered over 53 million eyeblossom flowers in the Pale Garden biome. Additionally, players have crafted two million maces and shattered over 300 billion blocks. The upcoming year will introduce a new format of game drops, promising fresh experiences and innovations.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

Minecraft player recreates an impressive replica of Notre-Dame de Laeken

Minecraft user u/pixelbiesterofficial recreated the Church of Our Lady of Laeken (Notre-Dame de Laeken) in the game, capturing its intricate details and reflecting its historical significance in Brussels, Belgium. The church, designed by architect Joseph Poelaert in the 19th century, features tall spires, pointed arches, and serves as a royal burial site. The creator has made the schematic available on Patreon, leading to mixed reactions among users regarding the subscription requirement. The build has garnered admiration for its realism, with some users initially mistaking it for a heavily modded screenshot.