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China Wants a Future Without Windows. It Starts This September.
Winsage
July 23, 2026

China Wants a Future Without Windows. It Starts This September.

Huawei will launch its first PCs powered by HarmonyOS in September, aiming to reduce China's reliance on Windows and create a homegrown computing ecosystem. The rollout will initially target government departments, financial institutions, and enterprise customers. HarmonyOS has been developed in response to U.S. sanctions, which restricted Huawei's access to Google services, advanced chips, and Windows licensing. The operating system has achieved high-level Chinese security certifications, making it suitable for sensitive government use. Huawei plans to build an interconnected ecosystem similar to Apple's, integrating HarmonyOS laptops with its other devices.
14 Easy Fixes to Make Windows 11 Feel Faster
Winsage
July 23, 2026

14 Easy Fixes to Make Windows 11 Feel Faster

Many Windows 11 PCs experience performance decline over time due to background processes and unnecessary files. To enhance performance without reinstalling Windows, consider the following strategies: 1. Uninstall unnecessary software (bloatware) via the Start menu or Installed Apps section. 2. Limit startup processes using Task Manager to disable rarely used applications. 3. Clean up disk space by enabling Windows' Storage Sense for automatic cleanup. 4. Check for viruses and spyware using Microsoft Defender or dedicated malware removal software. 5. Change power settings to Best Performance in Settings > System > Power & Battery. 6. Identify and fix resource-hogging processes using Task Manager. 7. Keep Windows updated by checking Settings > Windows Update. 8. Run troubleshooting utilities by searching for "troubleshoot" in the Start menu. 9. Use Microsoft PC Manager for a one-click performance optimization. 10. Consider adding more RAM if your device allows it. 11. Install an SSD for faster application launches and improved startup times. 12. Adjust system appearance settings for Best Performance. 13. Ensure adequate cooling to prevent overheating. 14. Turn off search indexing to free up system resources. 15. Disable Windows' Tips and manage notifications to reduce processing demands. 16. Enable Game Mode in Settings > Gaming for optimized gaming performance.
Samsung's new GAIA PC chip challenges Microsoft's Copilot+ program — and why I can only see that as a positive for the AI PC industry
Winsage
July 21, 2026

Samsung’s new GAIA PC chip challenges Microsoft’s Copilot+ program — and why I can only see that as a positive for the AI PC industry

NVIDIA announced the RTX Spark at Computex 2026, prompting competition among major silicon market players, including Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. Samsung is entering the market with its custom silicon for AI-driven PCs, named GAIA, marking its first development of PC-centric silicon since 2012. GAIA will function as a companion Neural Processing Unit (NPU) rather than a traditional System-on-Chip (SoC). It is expected to use a 4nm process and may incorporate processing-in-memory (PIM) capabilities. Lenovo China and HP USA have received samples for testing. Competitors like Snapdragon X/X2, Intel Core Ultra, and AMD Ryzen AI are integrating NPUs with at least 40 TOPS. Samsung's GAIA has not been officially confirmed, and details regarding TOPS, power consumption, and pricing are unclear. The 40 TOPS benchmark by Microsoft for integrated NPUs raises questions about how GAIA would be evaluated alongside Intel or AMD CPUs.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
July 21, 2026

Samsung’s new GAIA PC chip challenges Microsoft’s Copilot+ program — and why I can only see that as a positive for the AI PC industry

NVIDIA announced the RTX Spark at Computex 2026, prompting Samsung to develop custom silicon for AI-driven PCs, marking its return to the PC silicon market since the Exynos 5 Dual in 2012. The new silicon, named GAIA, is being created by Samsung's System LSI unit as a companion Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to enhance performance by offloading AI tasks. GAIA is expected to utilize a 4nm process and may explore processing-in-memory (PIM) capabilities with specialized DRAM. Samples of GAIA have been sent to Lenovo China and HP USA for evaluation. Many details about GAIA, including performance metrics and pricing, remain undisclosed. Microsoft has not commented on GAIA's implications for its Copilot+ program, which has a minimum threshold of 40 TOPS for integrated NPUs.
Proton got so good I keep forgetting which of my games were even built for Windows
AppWizard
July 19, 2026

Proton got so good I keep forgetting which of my games were even built for Windows

Linux gaming has gained popularity, especially after the release of Valve's Steam Deck, which shows that many PC games can run well on Linux despite not being designed for it. Proton, Valve's compatibility layer, allows Windows games to run efficiently on Linux without developer intervention. Most games lack specific Linux versions, but many Windows titles, including Elden Ring and Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered, perform better on Linux through Proton, achieving frame rates up to 75% higher. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which has a native Linux version, shows similar performance to those relying on Proton. Microsoft is reportedly using SteamOS as a benchmark to improve Windows gaming performance, indicating a shift towards aligning with Linux capabilities. Overall, gaming on Linux has become more accessible and enjoyable, often outperforming Windows.
Windows 11 Secure Boot is a messy ride on older PCs, and even Microsoft can't fix it
Winsage
July 19, 2026

Windows 11 Secure Boot is a messy ride on older PCs, and even Microsoft can’t fix it

Microsoft held an OEM Secure Boot Office Hours event with manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell, and HP to discuss issues related to the Windows 11 Secure Boot 2023 certificate rollout. Many IT administrators left with unresolved concerns, particularly regarding Secure Boot certificate errors. Participants reported persistent problems, including failures of suggested solutions from official documentation to apply to their hardware configurations. Ed Tittel shared his experience with compliance issues related to CA-2023 certificates, noting that ASUS motherboards sometimes required Secure Boot to be disabled temporarily, while MSI models exhibited erratic behavior. ASRock systems needed manual key resets, and documentation was lacking. Devices from Dell, HP, and Lenovo performed better but still faced staggered rollouts and required multiple reboots for BIOS updates. Specific issues raised included HP's BitLocker recovery loop persisting even with the latest BIOS, challenges with legacy device support from HP, devices showing Secure Boot Status as Unknown, and failures in updating the KEK on HP EliteBooks. Some questions from IT administrators regarding Dell and HP went unanswered during the session. The experiences highlighted a trend of Secure Boot issues across multiple OEMs, not limited to a single vendor. IT administrators are advised to pilot updates on representative hardware, back up BitLocker recovery keys, and consult OEM-specific advisories. The unresolved issues reflect common challenges faced by users, indicating that problems with Secure Boot certificate deployments are widespread across various manufacturers.
Steam Machine compatibility checks are here, though not every game on the store enjoys a rating
AppWizard
July 13, 2026

Steam Machine compatibility checks are here, though not every game on the store enjoys a rating

Steam users can now check a game's compatibility with Steam Machine and SteamOS directly from the store page. This feature was introduced after the Steam Machine's June release. Players can click 'learn more' next to the Steam Deck compatibility rating for an overview of compatibility across Valve's hardware and software. The game Black Myth: Wukong has an 'unknown' compatibility status with the Steam Machine, while it runs successfully on SteamOS. Valve is investigating compatibility for titles like Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Elden Ring Nightreign. Some games, like 007: First Light, can achieve a 'Verified' rating on the Steam Machine. Currently, the Steam store does not allow filtering by Steam Machine or SteamOS compatibility, but this feature is expected soon.
Lenovo’s stunning new Windows 11 all‑in‑one finally dethrones the Surface Studio with its bold Yoga AIO i Aura design
Winsage
July 8, 2026

Lenovo’s stunning new Windows 11 all‑in‑one finally dethrones the Surface Studio with its bold Yoga AIO i Aura design

The Lenovo Yoga AiO i 32 Aura Edition features a unique upside-down V-shaped stand that supports the display and houses the computing hardware, creating a floating screen illusion. It has a 32-inch 4K OLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate and a 99% DCI-P3 color rating, making it suitable for creative professionals. The device is powered by an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor and integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics, performing well in various tasks but lacking a dedicated GPU option for high-performance gaming. The built-in speaker system has been reported to produce a persistent hissing noise, affecting audio quality. The port selection is limited, with only a few USB ports and no Ethernet jack or SD card reader, which may require users to invest in additional adapters or peripherals.
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