PC upgrades Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

AMD Radeon graphics card prices could soon skyrocket following a similar CPU scare

AMD graphics card prices are expected to rise due to increasing RAM costs. Reports indicate that AMD has communicated a price increase for graphics cards with 8GB and 16GB VRAM configurations. The suggested price increase is approximately 10% for both types. AMD's business model involves selling GPUs and VRAM together, meaning any cost increases are passed on to consumers. Additionally, AMD has informed partners of a second price increase across its entire product line, though the timing is unclear. No new AMD products are expected to launch until 2027, suggesting a prolonged absence from the market.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

People really don’t want Windows 11 on their PCs, says Dell

Dell's COO, Jeff Clarke, reported that approximately 1.5 billion Windows devices are in use globally, with about 500 million capable of running Windows 11 that have not been upgraded and another 500 million devices too outdated to support the new operating system. He noted that Dell's sales figures for Windows 11 are lagging by 10 to 12 points compared to previous generations. One-third of the Windows user base lacks a compatible PC for Windows 11, while another third has the capability to upgrade but has chosen not to. Additionally, businesses may be hesitant to adopt Windows 11 due to concerns about stability and compatibility.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6 prove that great performance and low system requirements are king for multiplayer PC games in 2025

Arc Raiders had over 350,000 simultaneous players during its launch weekend. It is designed to run on older hardware, requiring a minimum CPU of Intel Core i5 6600K and a GPU like the GTX 1050 Ti or RX 580. The RTX 3060 is the most commonly used desktop GPU among gamers, while the RTX 4060 is gaining popularity. The high cost of PC upgrades and inflation make it difficult for many players to keep up with the latest hardware. Battlefield 6 is playable on older hardware like the 4 GB AMD Radeon RX 570, while Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford described Borderlands 4 as "a premium game for premium gamers," which may limit its audience. Performance optimization is crucial for attracting a broad player base in multiplayer games.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

4 free yet game-changing upgrades I made to my ancient PC

The PC is equipped with a Ryzen 5 1600 and a GTX 1660 Ti. The owner performed maintenance by cleaning the tower and replacing thermal paste on the CPU and GPU. Fan curves were adjusted to reduce noise levels, resulting in a more enjoyable gaming experience. The Windows 10 installation was converted from MBR to GPT to enable the Resizable BAR feature, leading to a 5–10% average FPS increase in games like Far Cry Primal and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. The thermal paste replacement lowered idle temperatures for the Ryzen 5 1600 from around 45℃ to approximately 40℃, with similar reductions for the GTX 1660 Ti. Undervolting the GPU improved thermal performance and slightly increased average FPS. Overall, the upgrades enhanced performance, temperature management, and noise reduction without significant financial investment.

Winsage

October 17, 2025

Global PC shipments spike despite tariff-related US slowdown

Global PC shipments reached 69 million units in Q3, marking an 8.2% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to Windows 11 upgrades and the end-of-support cycle for Windows 10. North America saw a modest growth rate of 1.6%, while consumer demand at lower price points remains subdued due to economic challenges. AI PCs are projected to account for 31% of shipments by 2025, up from 15% in 2024. Lenovo leads the market with a 27.8% share, followed by HP at 21.5%, Dell at 14.5%, and Apple at 8.9%. Despite improvements, the market may need new drivers for growth after the initial Windows 11 excitement fades.

Winsage

October 9, 2025

Omdia: Global PC market grew 7% in Q3 2025 as Windows 10 end-of-service deadline nears

In the third quarter of 2025, global desktop and notebook shipments reached 72 million units, a 6.8% increase from the previous year. Notebook shipments rose by 4% to 57.2 million units, while desktop shipments surged by 17% to 15.2 million units. This growth is attributed to the upcoming end-of-support deadline for Windows 10, prompting demand for upgrades. A September 2025 survey indicated that only 39% of B2B customers had upgraded their PCs, with 18% planning to continue using Windows 10 after the deadline. Key industry players like Qualcomm and Intel are launching new products, with CES 2026 expected to highlight innovations in PC technology. In terms of vendor performance for Q3 2025: - Lenovo shipped 19.4 million units (26.7% market share, 17.4% growth). - HP shipped 15.0 million units (20.7% market share, 10.7% growth). - Dell shipped 10.1 million units (14.0% market share, 2.6% growth). - Apple shipped 6.6 million units (9.0% market share, 4.3% growth). - Asus shipped 5.8 million units (8.0% market share, 7.1% growth). - Others accounted for 15.6 million units (21.6% market share, -3.8% growth).

Winsage

October 9, 2025

US PC shipments flat amid tariff shock and weak demand

The global PC market is experiencing a 9.4 percent increase in shipments during the third quarter of 2025, totaling 75.8 million units, driven by the upcoming end-of-life date for Windows 10 on October 14. The EMEA and Asia Pacific regions report a robust 14 percent growth, while the Americas see only a 1 percent increase due to tariff impacts and economic uncertainties. IDC's analysis indicates that PC shipments reflect systems dispatched from manufacturers, not direct consumer purchases, highlighting inventory challenges in the US. The first quarter of 2025 had a spike in shipments as manufacturers cleared stock before tariffs on Chinese imports. Despite cautious consumer spending, particularly on discretionary items, PC sales in the US have not drastically declined. IDC projects sustained demand for newer PCs as the deadline for Windows 11 approaches, with hundreds of millions of systems still on Windows 10. In terms of market share for Q3, Lenovo leads with over 25 percent, followed by HP with under 20 percent, Dell with approximately 13 percent, and Apple and Asus with 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively.

Winsage

September 18, 2025

Americans Put Off New PCs as Inflation Bites – Market Slips 2% in Q2

Groceries, gas, and rent are prioritized over new laptops in the US, impacting the PC market. Shipments declined by 1.4% year-on-year to 18.6 million units in Q2 2025. Inflation persists, with food prices up 3% and shelter costs at 4.3%, limiting discretionary spending. Many households are delaying PC purchases until their devices fail. In contrast, commercial demand grew by 4% as businesses upgrade systems in response to the Windows 10 end-of-support deadline and increasing AI adoption, which has more than doubled in the last two years. Apple achieved 15.5% year-on-year growth, while Lenovo grew by 5.1%. HP and Dell saw declines of 4.8% and 3.5%, respectively. Overall shipments in 2025 are projected to reach 71 million units, driven by commercial demand, while consumer demand is expected to shrink by nearly 4%. Government shipments are forecasted to grow by 9.9% this year, while education PCs are expected to remain flat in 2025 but surge nearly 10% in 2027. The market is projected to peak at 73.5 million units in 2026 before declining to approximately 70.8 million in 2027.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

You DO see Win 11 as an AI PC opportunity, say Dell, Intel

Dell and Intel are promoting the upgrade of PC fleets from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as a strategic opportunity for businesses to prepare for artificial intelligence (AI). Their "Windows 11 & AI PC Readiness Report" suggests that this is an ideal time for organizations to improve productivity, collaboration, and security with AI-ready PCs. A survey indicated that 80 percent of UK businesses plan to transition to Windows 11 by October 14, when support for Windows 10 ends. However, there are concerns about software and hardware compatibility, as well as the high costs associated with AI PCs, which may deter buyers. The report shows that 62 percent of IT decision-makers prefer Copilot+ AI PCs, while 64 percent believe it is critical to acquire new PCs capable of running AI applications. Despite claims of enhanced productivity with AI PCs, a study found that employees using such systems were less productive than those with traditional hardware.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

SMEs need channel help moving off Windows 10

71% of IT decision-makers view the transition to Windows 11 as an opportunity to enhance PC infrastructure. 64% of UK decision-makers consider the ability to run AI applications as critical for their organizations. Currently, 20% of customers have not started transitioning from Windows 10, 25% have completed the migration, and 44% are working towards the October end-of-life support deadline. Small firms are particularly lagging in this transition. Analysts predict a global PC market growth of 5.8% in 2025, with total shipments expected to reach 272 million units, following a 9% growth in Q1 and a 7.4% year-on-year improvement in Q2.