Laptops Archives

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Steam Deck lead reveals Valve is funding ARM compatibility of Windows games “to expand PC gaming” and release “ultraportables” in the future

Valve has been supporting Fex, an open-source initiative for enabling Windows games to run on ARM architecture, for nearly ten years. The Fex compatibility layer was developed to ensure reliability for gamers. Valve aims to expand PC gaming options by allowing Windows games to operate on ARM devices, which could include low-power laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The company is developing an ARM version of SteamOS that will maintain the same core components as its x86 version, with a tailored version of Proton that includes the Fex emulator. While there are challenges with compatibility, particularly with modern multiplayer titles and anti-cheat mechanisms, Valve is working to address these issues. The demand for alternatives to Windows in the gaming market is increasing, particularly with the success of SteamOS on the Steam Deck.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

I’m fed up with gaming on Windows 11 — here’s how Valve’s Steam Machine can fix PC gaming

Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was rolled out to all Windows-based handhelds on November 21, followed by a broader release for gaming rigs and laptops for Windows Insider members. The update process on Windows 11 was slow, causing frustration for users. Accessing the Xbox FSE through various shortcuts was unsuccessful, and the experience was marred by instability and frequent updates. A recent system update (KB5066835) resulted in a significant drop in gaming performance. The author expressed a preference for Linux and SteamOS due to their stability and user-friendly interface compared to Windows. The upcoming Steam Machine is anticipated for its compact design and potential for a hassle-free gaming experience.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

More bad news for PC gamers as AMD CPU prices could soon soar

AMD is rumored to be planning a price increase for its Ryzen CPUs, with changes expected to take effect at midnight on December 1, 2025. This increase is said to be related to AMD's suppliers and may not immediately affect retail prices. The Ryzen 9000 series and some older AMD CPUs are expected to be impacted. Current prices for models like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remain low, and consumers are advised to take advantage of existing deals before potential price hikes occur.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Get 23 Steam Deck-Ready PC Games With This Fanatical Deal

Fanatical's Bundlefestive 2025 event runs from December 1 to December 5, 2025, offering savings on PC games with new bundles launched daily. The event features the Killer Bundle Winter 2025 Edition, which is Fanatical's 1,500th PC game bundle deal, and the Build Your Own Play on the Go Bundlefestive Edition. The Build Your Own Play on the Go Bundle includes 23 games optimized for Steam Deck, such as Tyrant's Realm and Wolfenstein: The New Order. The pricing starts at for three games, decreasing with more selections. The Killer Bundle offers a variety of genres, starting at .75 for five games, with further discounts for larger selections.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

Windows 11 KB5070311 update fixes File Explorer freezes, search issues

Microsoft has released the KB5070311 preview cumulative update for Windows 11, which includes 49 enhancements aimed at improving user experience. This optional update allows IT administrators to preview upcoming bug fixes and features before the official Patch Tuesday rollout. The update addresses several known issues, including unresponsive explorer.exe and taskbar processes, search problems in File Explorer related to SMB shares, and instability in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). To install KB5070311, users can go to Settings, select Windows Update, and click 'Check for Updates'. Users must confirm their intention to install it by selecting 'Download and install', or they can manually download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update elevates Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 devices to builds 26200.7309 and 26100.7309, respectively. Notable enhancements include a broader search results menu, the ability to use Windows Studio Effects with additional cameras, new context menu options for Windows Spotlight backgrounds, and improvements to File Explorer's dark mode experience. Microsoft has announced there will be no preview update in December, with regular updates resuming in January. They are also working on a solution for a known issue where the password sign-in option has disappeared from the lock screen options.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Steam’s most widely used GPU is less powerful than you’d think, but new survey shows RTX 50-series is catching up

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has become the most popular graphics card among gamers, frequently topping survey responses due to its availability in well-priced laptops under ,000, allowing for a solid 1080p gaming experience. The laptop version of the 4060 has surpassed its desktop counterpart, indicating a shift towards more portable gaming solutions. Additionally, the RTX 5070 is gaining popularity, currently ranking as the 11th most common card and potentially moving into the top five by the start of the new year. Most gamers continue to use 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and there is a growing trend of players transitioning to Windows 11, influenced by Microsoft's updates.

Winsage

December 2, 2025

Defra moved thousands of PCs to Windows 11, not Windows 10

The UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that it upgraded its laptops from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as part of a £312 million investment to replace 31,500 outdated Windows 7 devices. The upgrade to Windows 11 was completed by March 2025, ahead of the Windows 10 support deadline on October 14, 2025. Defra acknowledged a factual inaccuracy in its previous communications regarding the IT modernization efforts.

Winsage

December 2, 2025

Ask Windows Central: The best Cyber Monday PC deals and why waiting could cost you big in 2026

- Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11 is a top performer this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, currently priced at 9 with no discount. - The Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch with keyboard is priced at 9, down from 9. - The original Steam Deck LCD was recently discounted from 9 to 9, but the deal has been retracted. - The Lenovo Legion Go S is available for 9, down from 9. - Two 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cards can be purchased for .98, allowing access for six months and saving . - The Dell 15 laptop is priced at 9, featuring an Intel Core processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. - The Surface Laptop 7 is available for 9, a 0 discount from its usual price of ,599. - The HP OmniBook 5 16-inch is priced at 9, down from 9, and offers up to 34 hours of battery life. - The HP ProBook 4 G1i is currently available for 8, down from its typical retail price of ,000. - Microsoft’s Windows Ugly Sweater has sold out.

Tech Optimizer

December 2, 2025

Surfshark One Antivirus Down 88% in Cyber Monday Sale

Surfshark is offering its Surfshark One Antivirus plan for .19 per month over a 27-month period, which is an 88% discount from the regular rate. The total cost for this plan amounts to approximately . This bundle includes real-time antivirus scanning, a VPN, breach alerts, and a private search tool. The deal is particularly beneficial for holiday shoppers, as cybercriminal activity increases during this time. The plan is advantageous for frequent travelers, families, and students.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Gemini app’s clunky UI may be getting a massive overhaul

Google is making a "huge investment" in a "UX 2.0" overhaul for the Gemini app, which includes developing a native macOS version. The upcoming changes aim to enhance the user experience with cleaner navigation, clearer entry points, and a more intuitive layout. The Android version has already introduced a refreshed homepage with a cleaner greeting banner, a darker background in dark mode, and reorganized action chips for easier navigation. Tools like “Create image,” “Deep Research,” and “Write anything” are now more accessible, and a “My Stuff” section allows users to revisit generated content. The native macOS app will improve file management and integration with system features, moving away from browser limitations.