hardware survey Archives

Winsage

March 7, 2026

New Windows 12 Rumors Were Immediately Debunked

Recent discussions about a potential subscription-based, AI-centric operating system from Microsoft have caused concern among Windows users, particularly with rumors of Windows 12's imminent arrival. Brad Chacos from PCWorld clarified that the original German article fueling these rumors lacked credible sources, leading to misinformation. Microsoft has confirmed its commitment to Windows 11, as shown in its Windows Roadmap, which focuses on refining the current OS rather than introducing Windows 12 soon. The article incorrectly claimed that Windows 12 would have an AI-driven modular architecture linked to Microsoft's CorePC initiative, which may have been abandoned. Additionally, data from the February 2026 Steam Hardware Survey indicated a 12% increase in Windows 10 users and a 10% decrease in Windows 11 users, suggesting challenges in managing two operating systems and complicating the introduction of a third.

Winsage

February 22, 2026

Opinion: Windows 11 isn’t the disaster some claim – and it’s time to say so

Windows 11 has faced challenges, including a comprehensive list of top issues identified in 2025, but it is not uniquely unstable compared to earlier versions like Windows 95, 98, XP, 7, and 10. Recent headlines have highlighted various problems such as printer malfunctions and performance issues, but these are often exaggerated due to increased visibility. Historically, Windows has experienced similar cycles of instability, and the perception of widespread failure today is amplified by rapid documentation of minor issues. User trust in Windows has eroded, with skepticism about performance stemming from cumulative updates and the personal impact of issues on over a billion users. The focus should shift to improving predictability and transparency regarding updates rather than solely counting bugs. Windows 11's frequency of out-of-band updates is comparable to that of Windows 7 and 10, with improved mechanisms for addressing problems quickly. Gamers continue to adopt Windows 11 due to enhanced CPU scheduling, improved GPU performance, and features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage. Microsoft is committed to further improving the gaming experience. The scale of Windows operations, with over a billion users and multiple concurrent releases, contributes to occasional anomalies. Despite criticisms, most Windows 11 systems operate without significant issues, performing adequately for daily tasks and gaming. Microsoft has announced plans for enhancements, including bug fixes, performance improvements, and security upgrades, indicating that Windows 11 remains a solid choice for users.

Winsage

February 16, 2026

Windows User Switches to Linux, Misses Windows Hello

The author transitioned from Windows to Linux for daily workflows, finding that most essential tools adapted well. Linux distributions can easily detect hardware on modern x86 laptops, and community projects enhance compatibility for devices like Microsoft’s Surface. Software integration was smooth, with applications like Microsoft Edge and 1Password functioning without issues. However, the author misses Windows Hello's biometric sign-in, which lacks a universal equivalent in Linux. Community solutions exist but often require technical adjustments. Linux desktops provide a polished experience, but challenges remain, such as webcam functionality and sleep/resume issues. Selecting compatible hardware is crucial for a successful transition, and Linux holds about 4% of the desktop market share globally.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

Steam to add hardware specs to reviews — optional feature could help you dodge poorly optimized games

Steam's latest Client Beta patch notes introduce a feature that allows reviewers to include their system specifications with their reviews. This aims to enhance transparency and help potential buyers understand how hardware differences may affect gameplay experiences. Previously, reviewers had to voluntarily disclose their system specs, which was uncommon. The new feature will enable users to see a reviewer's hardware, aiding in the assessment of performance issues. It is unclear whether Steam will use its Hardware Survey data to auto-populate user specifications or if users will need to input their components manually. The feature will be optional, allowing users to keep their hardware details private if desired.

Winsage

January 14, 2026

Zorin OS 18 has reached 2 million downloads, with 1M+ Windows defections fueling one of Linux’s biggest growth stories in 2026

Zorin OS, a Linux distribution, has gained significant popularity among Windows users, particularly following the end of support for Windows 10. Zorin OS 18 was released on the same day Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10 and has achieved over 2 million downloads in less than three months, with around 75% of downloads from users transitioning from Windows 10 and 11. The rise in interest in Zorin OS is attributed to dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s bloatware and the need for alternatives for hardware that cannot meet Windows 11's requirements. Linux installations now account for 3.58% of total usage, while Windows holds a 94.23% share.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Steam Reveals Most Played PC VR Games of 2025

Steam's list of the most played PC VR games for 2025 features only one new title, "VR Secretary: Ailey Edition," which is an early access dating sim and has received a silver rating. The top-ranked games include: Platinum: - No Man’s Sky (2016) - Beat Saber (2019) - Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (2016) - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR (2018) - Phasmophobia (2020) - Gorilla Tag (2023) - Blade & Sorcery (2024) - Ark: Survival Evolved (2017) - Vtol VR (2017) - VRChat (2017) - Half-Life: Alyx (2020) - Assetto Corsa (2014) Gold: - BONELAB (2022) - The Forest (2018) - Hard Bullet (2020) - Superhot VR (2017) - War Thunder (2013) - Pavlov (2024) - BONEWORKS (2019) - Google Earth VR (2016) - Euro Truck Simulator (2012) - Blood Trail (2019) - Rec Room (2021) - Half-Life 2: VR Mod (2022) Silver: - Automobilista 2 (2020) - DCS (2013) - Assetto Corsa Competizione (2019) - Arizona Sunshine II (2023) - Ghosts of Tabor (2023) - Bigscreen (2016) - The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (2020) - The Lab (2016) - Contractors Showdown: ExfilZone (2024) - Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (2019) - Subnautica (2018) - Metro Awakening (2024) - Into the Radius 2 (2024) - Fallout 4 VR (2017) - Tactical Assault VR (2023) - Elite Dangerous (2015) - Into the Radius (2020) - Propagation VR (2020) - Job Simulator (2016) - VR Secretary: Ailey Edition (2025) - DiRT Rally 2.0 (2019) - Hitman World of Assassination (2022) - VTOL VR Mod Loader (2024) - Contractors (2018) - Arizona Sunshine Remake (2024) - BeamNG.drive (2015) The report indicates a trend of established games maintaining popularity, with a growing community of PC VR users and an increase in monthly connected headsets on Steam. The anticipated Steam Frame may influence future PC VR game adoption.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

The 007 First Light system requirements aren’t as terrifying as I expected

The system requirements for 007 First Light have been revealed. The minimum specifications include a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5700, 8GB VRAM, an Intel Core i5 9500K or AMD Ryzen 5 3500 CPU, 16GB RAM, and 80GB of storage, targeting 1080p at 30fps. The recommended specifications require an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT, 12GB VRAM, an Intel Core i5 13500 or AMD Ryzen 5 7600 CPU, 32GB RAM, and also 80GB of storage, aiming for 1080p at 60fps. The game does not support ray tracing. The download size is 80GB. Performance issues such as frame rate drops were noted during gameplay, particularly in explosive moments. The release date is set for May.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

AMD FSR Redstone is an exciting and confusing upgrade for Radeon PC gamers

AMD has soft-launched its graphics technology suite, FSR Redstone, which enhances gaming performance. The number of games supporting FSR4 has increased to over 200 in three months, and AMD is introducing ML-based frame generation for more than 30 titles. FSR4 is now branded as “AMD FSR Upscaling,” integrated into the Redstone framework. FSR Redstone and FSR4 features are exclusive to Radeon RX 9000-series cards, which require activation in the AMD Software application and on a per-game basis. The adoption of the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT cards has been slow, with less than 0.15 percent of PC gamers using them, but they are now available at their original MSRP and have received positive reviews for performance.

Winsage

December 9, 2025

Latest Steam Client Beta backport keeps Windows 7 and Windows 8 gaming PCs on life support — unofficial solution gives a lifeline to legacy users

A community of gamers continues to support legacy platforms despite Steam discontinuing support for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. Eazy Black has unofficially ported the latest Steam Client Beta (from December 4, 2025) to these unsupported operating systems, particularly effective on 64-bit versions of Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 and Windows 8.x. Recommended updates for optimal performance include KB976932, KB2999226, and either KB3080149 or KB4474419. Windows 7 users now represent 0.05% of the gaming community on Steam, while Windows 11 has a 69.2% market share, and 30.66% of Steam users remain on Windows 10, reflecting a 2.17% decline from the previous month.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Steam hardware survey shows how Linux is slowly eating into Windows market share

Valve's hardware survey report from November 2025 indicates a rise in Linux adoption among Steam users, increasing by 0.15% to 3.2%, surpassing macOS at 2.02%. Windows 10's share has dropped to 29%, while Windows 11 has grown to 65%. SteamOS represents 26.42% of the Linux user base. AMD holds a CPU market share of 43.56%, with Intel at 56.44%. Nvidia's 60-class GPUs remain popular among gamers.