Grace Archives

Winsage

June 3, 2026

Building the next generation of devices for developers: Surface RTX Spark Dev Box

Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop Ultra and the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, specifically designed for software developers and technical professionals. The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box features the NVIDIA RTX Spark superchip, providing up to 1 petaflop of AI compute and 128 GB of unified memory, enabling local execution of complex AI models. It comes pre-configured with Windows 11 Pro and essential development tools, ensuring a focused environment for developers. The device incorporates security features aligned with Microsoft’s Zero Trust principles, including secured-core PC architecture and BitLocker encryption. It will be available later this year in the U.S. exclusively through Microsoft.com.

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.

Winsage

June 2, 2026

Nvidia unveils DGX Station for Windows AI workstations

NVIDIA has launched the DGX Station for Windows, a deskside system designed for extensive AI workloads on Windows machines, marking a shift from traditional Linux-based systems. It features the NVIDIA GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip, capable of executing AI models with up to 1 trillion parameters. The system supports model training, fine-tuning, inference, data science, and multi-agent development, allowing hundreds of agents to run concurrently. A key feature is the NVIDIA OpenShell on Windows, which provides a secure runtime environment for autonomous agents. The DGX Station integrates with existing enterprise management frameworks and extends Windows security and compliance tools. Its hardware architecture includes a Blackwell Ultra GPU, a 72-core Grace CPU, up to 748GB of coherent memory, and networking capabilities of up to 800Gb/s. It is designed for individual specialists or collaborative teams and can be paired with an NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation GPU. The DGX Station will be available through vendors like ASUS, Dell Technologies, GIGABYTE, HP, MSI, and Supermicro.

Winsage

June 2, 2026

Microsoft, Nvidia launch RTX Spark Windows AI PC lineup

Microsoft and Nvidia have launched a new series of Windows PCs powered by the Nvidia RTX Spark platform, featuring devices from manufacturers like Surface, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI. The RTX Spark platform delivers up to 1 petaflop of AI performance, with up to 20 Arm-based CPU cores, 6,144 Blackwell RTX cores, and 128GB of unified memory. Microsoft has optimized Windows for this architecture, enhancing scheduling, power management, and memory handling. The new workload profile scheduling feature optimizes task distribution across the cores, while the Microsoft Power and Thermal Framework improves performance, battery life, and heat management. Windows' support for unified memory has been enhanced, allowing for larger AI models and demanding creative tasks. Microsoft's Prism emulator for x86 applications has been optimized for RTX Spark systems, improving compatibility and speed. Creative applications like Blender, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Photoshop are supported, along with MATLAB for technical users. Gaming support includes native anti-cheat software and compatibility with popular titles such as League of Legends and Valorant. The new systems are categorized under Microsoft's Copilot+ PC line, which combines AI processing with enhanced graphics capabilities. Devices showcased include Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra and models from Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI. Microsoft also plans to scale Windows to the Nvidia DGX Station for Windows, enabling larger AI models and workstation-class workloads. The initiative aims to unify AI workloads across consumer PCs, creator laptops, and workstations, allowing users to run larger models locally and integrate AI computing into their workflows.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

Nvidia and Microsoft bring frontier AI compute to Windows

Nvidia, in collaboration with Microsoft, has introduced two AI products for Windows that bring data-centre-class capabilities to the desktop. The Nvidia DGX Station for Windows, powered by the GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip, can run models with up to one trillion parameters locally. This development allows professionals to utilize powerful AI tools without relying on cloud infrastructure.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

Nvidia’s RTX Spark could caplitalize where Qualcomm’s Arm-based efforts have not — following the expiration of Qualcomm’s Windows on Arm deal, Nvidia stands poised to pick up the slack

Nvidia unveiled its RTX Spark superchip on May 31st, combining a 20-core Arm-based Grace CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU, marking its entry into the Windows PC market. The chip features up to 128GB of unified memory, 1 petaflop of AI compute capability, and 6,144 CUDA cores. It will debut in laptops and compact desktops from manufacturers like ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft Surface, and MSI, with Acer and GIGABYTE expected to follow. Microsoft collaborated with Nvidia to develop new Windows security features for on-device AI agents. The RTX Spark, previously known as N1X, has been in development for three years, with initial reports in 2023 and delays attributed to advancements in Arm technology and notebook demand. Microsoft's Windows on Arm initiative, previously exclusive to Qualcomm, has opened opportunities for MediaTek, Nvidia, and AMD. The RTX Spark aims to enhance local AI applications, with Adobe reengineering its software for the platform and over 100 software vendors supporting it. However, challenges remain, including reliance on x86 emulation and delays in the next-generation Windows on Arm platform. Pricing details are scarce, but the RTX Spark is expected to be positioned at a premium price point.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

Samsung Messages Is Going Away for Good. Here’s How to Save Everything First

Samsung Messages will cease to function in July 2026, resulting in the loss of any unmigrated text history. Users are encouraged to transition to Google Messages, which offers features like RCS-enabled texting, high-quality image sharing, AI-powered spam detection, multi-device access, and Gemini AI features. Samsung provides instructions for this migration, especially for users on Android 12 and 13. The exact date in July for the service discontinuation is unspecified, but only emergency messaging will remain functional afterward. Samsung Messages was no longer the default app since 2021 and stopped being preinstalled in 2024. Users on Android 11 or earlier are not directly affected but are advised to switch to Google Messages. Older Galaxy Watches running Tizen will have limited access to conversation histories, while newer models on WearOS will retain full access.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

Introducing a powerful new chapter for Windows PCs, accelerated by NVIDIA RTX Spark

At NVIDIA's GTC event, Microsoft and NVIDIA announced a collaboration to launch powerful thin-and-light Windows PCs enhanced by NVIDIA RTX Spark technology, aimed at developers, creators, and power users for AI applications. The new PCs feature RTX Spark with 1 petaflop of AI performance, up to 6144 Blackwell RTX cores, 20 power-efficient Arm architecture cores, and up to 128GB of unified memory. Microsoft implemented workload profile scheduling (WPS) to optimize task distribution across cores and introduced the Microsoft Power and Thermal Framework (MPTF) for improved power efficiency. The Prism emulator has been optimized for these PCs, ensuring smooth operation of x86 applications. Microsoft is also enhancing Windows 11's performance and reliability, with a focus on securely building and running AI agents. A range of RTX Spark-powered devices will be available from manufacturers like Microsoft Surface, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI starting this Fall. The Surface Laptop Ultra is specifically designed for creators, while other models from ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI also emphasize AI performance. Additionally, Microsoft and NVIDIA are scaling Windows to NVIDIA DGX Station, which will feature the NVIDIA GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip for advanced AI workloads.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

Not just for AI agents: Nvidia’s RTX Spark means Arm-powered laptops for gamers, too, promising 100 fps at 1440p in the latest games

Nvidia has introduced the N1X CPU, integrated into the RTX Spark SoC, marking its entry into the laptop SoC market. The RTX Spark features up to 20 Grace CPU cores and 6144 RTX Blackwell GPU cores, supporting up to 128 GB of unified LPDDR5x memory. Major manufacturers like Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, and MSI are expected to release over 30 laptops and around ten desktop models with this technology. Nvidia's Aevermann described the RTX Spark as "the most efficient PC chip ever built," designed for both computing and gaming. Nvidia plans to introduce mini PCs powered by the RTX Spark chip this autumn, with companies like Acer, Asus, and Gigabyte preparing systems. The RTX Spark's custom Arm architecture requires Windows-on-Arm, raising performance concerns due to reliance on Microsoft's Prism emulator. Nvidia is collaborating with game developers to ensure compatibility and performance, focusing on optimizing popular games and integrating anti-cheat software.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

NVIDIA N1 and N1X: new leak data show multiple Windows-on-Arm chips for notebooks

NVIDIA is preparing to enter the Windows PC market with at least two distinct ARM chip product tiers, the N1 and N1X, although these remain unverified. The N1X will have two configurations: a larger variant with 20 CPU cores (10+10 layout), 48 Blackwell Streaming Multiprocessors (6,144 CUDA cores), and a smaller variant with 18 CPU cores (9+9 layout) and 40 SMs (5,120 CUDA cores). The power envelope for the N1X models is projected to be between 45 to 80 watts. The smaller N1 variant is expected to have a power range of 18 to 45 watts and up to 20 SMs. Retailer listings suggest that Lenovo may offer models like the Yoga Pro 7 15.3 with NVIDIA N1X configurations and options for 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. NVIDIA and Microsoft plan to unveil the first Windows PCs featuring NVIDIA chips, with potential vendors including Microsoft’s Surface brand and Dell. The success of the Windows-on-Arm platform will depend on factors beyond CUDA core count, such as native applications, drivers, power management, and gaming compatibility. NVIDIA's extensive resources, including CUDA and AI frameworks, may give it an advantage over competitors like Qualcomm.