market Archives

Winsage

July 30, 2026

ThinkPads from 2008 are some of the hottest used laptops right now — Here’s how (and why) they’re being turned into Windows 11 PCs

The ThinkPad X210Ai is a modified laptop that combines the chassis of older ThinkPad models (X200/X201) with a modern mainboard from TP Art, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors, DDR5 RAM support, dual M.2 SSD slots, Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI 2.1. The modification allows users to retain the original display and keyboard while requiring some chassis adjustments. TP Art offers a kit starting at 9, with complete builds beginning at 9, excluding RAM and storage. The popularity of the X210Ai has surged due to rising RAM prices and the demand for reliable, customizable machines. The modified board allows compatibility with Windows 11 and various Linux distributions. Processing times for orders can take up to six months, and cancellations are not allowed once placed.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

I Spent a Month With the Steam Machine and it Perfectly Fills the One Gap in My Gaming Habits

The Steam Machine has been on the market for just over a month and has integrated into the user's gaming routine, particularly during a recent illness. The user connected it to their TV, disabled metrics, and explored their Steam library, finding the experience enjoyable. Despite skepticism about its high price for average consumers, the Steam Machine offers a solution for transitioning gaming from a desk to a living room without monopolizing the network. The user has historically preferred PC gaming over consoles, appreciating the flexibility of switching between devices. Previous attempts to set up living room PCs were inconvenient, but the Steam Machine simplifies this with SteamOS and the Steam Controller's trackpads. The user adjusted the output resolution to 1440p and enjoyed games like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, valuing the ability to continue saves from their PC. The Steam Machine is priced at ,049, which may deter some, but it appeals to users with extensive Steam libraries.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Half-Life: Alyx gets ‘No VR’ mode, perfect for those without an expensive headset

Half-Life: Alyx has introduced a 'No VR' mode that allows players without virtual reality headsets to play the entire campaign on a flatscreen. Originally launched in 2019 as a VR-exclusive title, it faced criticism for being inaccessible to many fans of the series. The new mod enhances gameplay with interaction mechanics similar to those in games like SOMA or Amnesia, allowing players to engage with objects by aiming and holding down a button. Currently in testing, the mod covers only the first chapter of the game, with a public release expected soon. While the game is designed for VR, the mod offers an opportunity for those unable to use a headset to experience the narrative and gameplay interactively.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Simultaneously Control Two Heroines in Fantasy ARPG Lunarium, Available Now on PC

Lunarium, a hand-drawn isometric action role-playing game (ARPG) developed by Lunarium Game Studio and published by Imperfect Games, was released on July 29, 2026, for PC via Steam. The game features dual-protagonist gameplay with two heroines, Ave, a knight, and Lune, a sorceress, allowing players to switch between characters to combat dark forces. Players can explore hand-drawn environments, solve puzzles using Lune's powers, and customize their experience through various enhancements and skill trees. Lunarium is priced at .99, £15.99, or €17.99, with a 10% launch discount for the first week and supports multiple languages.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Xbox Project Helix could be dead on arrival thanks to PlayStation PC cull

Xbox's upcoming console, Project Helix, has undergone significant modifications due to changes in the gaming industry influenced by PlayStation's strategic decisions. PlayStation plans to phase out physical disc production by 2028 and is reportedly stepping back from PC ports due to disappointing sales figures. This shift affects Xbox's strategy, as PlayStation is reluctant to share its gaming library with Xbox users, disrupting Project Helix's original model. The anticipated cost of Project Helix is expected to exceed that of Valve's Steam Machine, raising concerns about its pricing amid a market where fewer gamers are willing to invest heavily in consoles. Exclusive titles have historically been a major draw for consoles, but Xbox is still recovering from past strategic missteps. The gaming community is awaiting further details on Project Helix's PC capabilities and an official unveiling.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

PlayStation ditching physical games is “a bridge across the bad years” of high hardware costs, analyst says, but it means “casuals and youngsters will drift off to mobile, PC, and free-to-play even faster”

PlayStation announced its intention to cease physical game production by 2028. Analyst Rhys Elliott described this shift as a "stopgap" rather than a long-term strategy, suggesting it may be a temporary measure to address current economic challenges and high hardware manufacturing costs. He raised concerns that this decision could alienate younger and budget-conscious gamers who typically enter the console market through affordable pre-owned discs, potentially impacting their future engagement with the platform.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

China’s H1 game market sees mobile growth, PC boom, continued slump in web and console games · TechNode

The mobile gaming sector in China generated RMB 135.21 billion (approximately .98 billion) in sales revenue during the first half of the year, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 7.9%. The PC gaming market achieved RMB 45.29 billion (around .69 billion) in sales revenue, marking a year-over-year increase of 27.92%. The web game market generated RMB 2.02 billion (about [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Market Performance Overview Recent insights from the China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference (ChinaJoy) reveal a dynamic landscape within China's gaming industry. The mobile gaming sector has emerged as a robust performer, generating an impressive RMB 135.21 billion (approximately .98 billion) in actual sales revenue during the first half of the year. This figure reflects a commendable year-over-year growth of 7.9%, underscoring the continued popularity and engagement of mobile gaming among consumers. In contrast, the PC gaming market has also shown significant momentum, achieving RMB 45.29 billion (around .69 billion) in actual sales revenue. This marks a remarkable year-over-year increase of 27.92%, indicating a resurgence in interest and investment in PC gaming experiences. However, not all segments of the gaming market are experiencing growth. The web game market has faced challenges, generating only RMB 2.02 billion (about 0 million) in actual sales revenue. This represents an 8.47% decline compared to the previous year, extending a downward trend that has persisted for three consecutive years. Similarly, the console gaming market has encountered its own hurdles, recording RMB 961 million (approximately 2 million) in actual sales revenue. This reflects a decrease of 7.06% year-over-year, suggesting that the console segment may need to innovate further to capture the attention of gamers. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, these figures highlight the contrasting fortunes of different market segments, painting a complex picture of consumer preferences and industry dynamics in China." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million), representing an 8.47% decline compared to the previous year. The console gaming market recorded RMB 961 million (approximately [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Market Performance Overview Recent insights from the China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference (ChinaJoy) reveal a dynamic landscape within China's gaming industry. The mobile gaming sector has emerged as a robust performer, generating an impressive RMB 135.21 billion (approximately .98 billion) in actual sales revenue during the first half of the year. This figure reflects a commendable year-over-year growth of 7.9%, underscoring the continued popularity and engagement of mobile gaming among consumers. In contrast, the PC gaming market has also shown significant momentum, achieving RMB 45.29 billion (around .69 billion) in actual sales revenue. This marks a remarkable year-over-year increase of 27.92%, indicating a resurgence in interest and investment in PC gaming experiences. However, not all segments of the gaming market are experiencing growth. The web game market has faced challenges, generating only RMB 2.02 billion (about 0 million) in actual sales revenue. This represents an 8.47% decline compared to the previous year, extending a downward trend that has persisted for three consecutive years. Similarly, the console gaming market has encountered its own hurdles, recording RMB 961 million (approximately 2 million) in actual sales revenue. This reflects a decrease of 7.06% year-over-year, suggesting that the console segment may need to innovate further to capture the attention of gamers. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, these figures highlight the contrasting fortunes of different market segments, painting a complex picture of consumer preferences and industry dynamics in China." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].14 million) in sales revenue, reflecting a decrease of 7.06% year-over-year.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

4 Android Phones That Will Get Software Updates Until 2030 And Beyond

Long-term support for smartphones is important for consumers, especially regarding data security. Security updates are typically provided, but software updates often lag, leaving devices without the latest features. Samsung committed to four years of OS updates and five years of security updates in 2022, evolving to seven years for newer devices in 2024. The Galaxy S24, launched in early 2024, will receive support through 2030. The Galaxy S23 has already concluded its software updates. Google’s Pixel 8, launched in 2023, is also expected to be supported until 2030 with seven years of updates. Nothing's Phone 3, launching in 2025, promises five years of software support and seven years of security updates, while Motorola's Signature model, debuting in 2026, is projected to be supported until 2033. OnePlus guarantees four years of software updates and five years of security updates, but none of its phones will reach the 2030 mark for new OS upgrades. Other brands like Oppo and Xiaomi lack transparency in their support policies, with Xiaomi only committing to two years of security updates.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Capcom expects 95% of its game sales to be digital in the next year, and it’s pretty much already there thanks largely to PC gaming

Capcom's financial report indicates that over 93% of its game sales are now digital, with expectations for this figure to increase. In the period from April to June 2026, Capcom sold 1.6 million physical games and 22.2 million digital games. The company classifies sales of game-key cards for the Switch 2 as digital transactions. The trend toward digital sales is evident, with industry analysts suggesting that physical media is becoming less relevant.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

If you’ve spent years hearing Linux is always better, this Windows 11 story might change your mind — it certainly surprised even me

A Linux user, @Puzzleheaded-Sky2284, switched to Windows 11 for practical reasons, citing better compatibility with essential applications like Microsoft Office and Autodesk software. He emphasized that his decision was based on functionality rather than ideological preferences. The discussion highlighted that while Windows 11 has improved in addressing issues related to fragmentation and updates, criticisms remain regarding resource management and Microsoft's policies. Linux continues to attract users due to its high level of control and customization, although it can be less accessible due to fragmentation within the community. Ultimately, the choice between operating systems depends on individual workflows rather than brand loyalty.