personal computers Archives

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Unofficial Animal Crossing Port Brings The OG Cozy Game To PC

A PC port of the 2002 classic Animal Crossing has been developed by modders, allowing players to experience the game on personal computers. The port, created by a GitHub user named FlyingMeta, requires users to provide their own original game copy or ROM and supports enhanced resolutions, modding, and both keyboard and controller inputs. It is based on the Animal Crossing Decompilation fan project, which took over two years to develop. The port has some audio issues, memory glitches, and texture bugs, but improvements are planned. Similar decompilation efforts have been made for other Nintendo games, and the lack of distributed game files has made it difficult for Nintendo to intervene legally. This process helps preserve classic games for future generations.

Winsage

March 14, 2026

Former Windows chief Steven Sinofsky criticises Windows and praises MacBook Neo

Steven Sinofsky, former Microsoft Windows chief, has transitioned to Apple’s MacBook Neo, criticizing the Windows operating system as “trash.” He noted that Microsoft was a pioneer in proposing ARM-based personal computers over 15 years ago but struggled to bring the concept to market due to its hesitance to abandon the x86 architecture. In contrast, Apple has successfully launched ARM-based computers that have gained efficiency and user adoption, revitalizing the personal computer market. Analysts predict that the popularity of ARM-based devices will rise, increasing competition between platforms focused on efficiency, performance, and cost.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Cara Ellison, senior narrative designer on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 before Paradox switched developers, discusses her love of Troika’s original RPG: ‘Everyone on the team helped really make that maximum goth’

Cara Ellison is a narrative designer whose journey in gaming began with a BBC Micro and the 1987 game Acheton. She has worked as a games journalist for publications like PC Gamer and transitioned into game design, contributing narratives to titles such as Dishonored 2, Void Bastards, God of War: Ragnarok, and Ghost Town. Her latest project is Sleight of Hand, a deckbuilding stealth game inspired by Metal Gear Solid and Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines. She has a fondness for the original Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines, despite its technical challenges, and has logged 103 hours in Kentucky Route Zero. Ellison keeps Sunless Sea installed on both her work and personal computers, appreciating its narrative depth. For her writing, she uses Scrivener, which she utilized for Void Bastards. Her desktop is relatively tidy, featuring a mix of business and leisure icons, with a wallpaper from Vertigo.

Winsage

January 27, 2026

This New Windows Smartphone Does Something Most Android Phones Can’t

NexPhone is a new smartphone from Nex Computer, marking the first Windows phone launch in a decade, with an official launch planned for 2026. It supports Android, Windows 11, and Linux, allowing users to connect it to any monitor and use it as a computer. The device runs Windows 11 on Arm, ensuring a smooth user experience. It features 256GB of expandable storage and aims to consolidate various digital tasks into one device. The last notable Windows phone was the Microsoft Lumia 650, released in 2016, and Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Mobile in 2019.

Winsage

January 21, 2026

This midrange Android phone also runs Windows and Linux

Nex Computer has introduced the NexPhone, a midrange smartphone that can transform into a fully functional computer when connected to a monitor. It features dual-boot capabilities into Windows 11 and offers both Android and Linux operating systems. The device has a mobile interface similar to Windows Phone when unplugged. It is powered by a Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset, meets MIL-STD-810H standards, and is rated IP68 and IP69 for dust and water resistance. The NexPhone includes a 5,000mAh battery, a 64-megapixel rear camera, and supports wireless charging. It is expected to ship in the third quarter of 2026, with a price of 9, and customers can reserve it with a refundable deposit of .

Tech Optimizer

January 19, 2026

This day in history: The first computer virus hits the world

On January 19, 1986, the computer virus Brain emerged, recognized as the first major global threat in cybersecurity. Created by Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi in Lahore, Pakistan, it targeted IBM PC-compatible machines running MS-DOS and spread via floppy disks. Brain was initially intended to protect the brothers' medical software from piracy by tracking unauthorized copies. It embedded itself in the boot sector of infected computers and displayed a message with the creators' contact information. Despite its benign intent, Brain spread internationally, highlighting the potential for software to replicate and traverse borders autonomously. This event raised awareness about computer viruses and initiated discussions on antivirus solutions and the ethical responsibilities of programmers. Brain exposed vulnerabilities in early personal computers and prompted the integration of cybersecurity considerations into software design.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Still relying on Windows 10? How YOU can secure free PC updates from Microsoft to stay safe this year

Microsoft has concluded support for Windows 10, with over 44% of PC users still operating on the OS. This poses potential risks for users, particularly as the end-of-support deadline approaches on October 14, 2025, when Microsoft will stop issuing free updates, increasing vulnerability to cyber threats. Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, offering security patches until October 13, 2026, at a cost of £22 for individual users and starting at £45 for businesses, with prices doubling in subsequent years. Users can also access ESU benefits through Microsoft Rewards Points or by performing a Windows Backup via OneDrive, which has a 5GB free limit. Research suggests that around 5 million individuals in the UK could be at risk due to continued reliance on Windows 10. The ESU program is available for users with Windows 10 devices running version 22H2.

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin is upset with Microsoft, calls Windows boot process ‘dystopian’ – The Times of India

Vitalik Buterin expressed concerns about Microsoft's requirement for internet connectivity during the installation of Windows, calling the experience “dystopian.” He encountered a barrier while trying to boot into Windows to install Linux, as it required an internet connection to communicate with Microsoft’s servers. This commentary was in response to a post on X that suggested corporations are increasingly eliminating personal computer ownership, which could lead to a societal shift towards radical political ideologies. Buterin's remarks reflect unease regarding the power dynamics between consumers and corporations in the tech industry. In contrast, another user on X, known as ‘iRish,’ argued that most users may not share these concerns and that Microsoft is catering to the majority rather than tech-savvy individuals.

Winsage

December 19, 2025

Windows Server 2025 gains native NVMe support, 14 years after its introduction — groundbreaking I/O stack drops SCSI emulation limitations for massive throughput and CPU efficiency gains

Windows Server 2025 now supports native NVMe I/O, moving away from SCSI bus commands. This feature requires a registry key modification or group policy MSI to activate. Users can see performance improvements of up to 80% in IOPS and a 45% reduction in CPU utilization during high I/O loads. Testing on a two-socket Intel system with 208 logical cores and a Solidigm D7-PS1010 SSD showed a 45% increase in IOPS with one thread, 78% with eight threads, and 71% with 16 threads, alongside a 41% and 47% decrease in CPU load during 4K random reads with eight and 16 threads, respectively. The I/O processing workflow has been redesigned for better performance, enhancing overall latency and responsiveness. Community feedback is mixed, with some users experiencing negligible differences and others suggesting that only PCIe 5.0 NVMe devices can fully utilize the new I/O stack. There is no timeline for this feature's rollout to Windows 11, and its effectiveness may vary based on drive firmware quality. Home computing tasks may not see significant improvements, but multitasking and gaming experiences could benefit from reduced CPU load and improved system responsiveness.

Tech Optimizer

December 7, 2025

9 Apps You Should Never Install On Windows 11

John McAfee's antivirus software struggles with poor performance and questionable business practices, relying on financial arrangements with manufacturers for its prevalence. Users often face persistent pop-ups for additional services, leading to high subscription costs without significant value. Norton, another antivirus solution, is criticized for slowing down system performance and not providing better protection than Windows Defender. ExpressVPN has shifted focus from privacy to marketing after its acquisition, raising concerns about user data security. Honey, a shopping extension, tracks personal data and may mislead users with affiliate links. CCleaner has become bloated since its acquisition by Avast and is no longer effective on Windows 11. WiFi speed booster software often fails to improve performance and may collect user data. Crypto mining software poses risks as many applications are malware. Razer Synapse often causes performance issues for gamers, while NVIDIA's application can negatively impact system performance and is not as beneficial as alternatives.