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Intel's 12th Gen CPUs have become the Windows 10 of PC hardware, and nobody is in a hurry to leave
Winsage
October 17, 2026

Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs have become the Windows 10 of PC hardware, and nobody is in a hurry to leave

27% of users are still using Windows 10 despite Microsoft ending support for it. Many Intel 12th Gen CPU owners, such as those with Core i5-12400, Core i5-12600K, and Core i7-12700K, are satisfied with their processors, which still provide good gaming performance. The longevity of PC components has increased, with users keeping CPUs for five to ten years. Intel's 12th Gen CPUs, launched in 2021, remain competitive in 2026, capable of handling modern gaming and productivity tasks. They support PCIe 5.0 and DDR5, and have a reputation free from the controversies affecting Intel's 13th and 14th Gen CPUs, which had issues with a "Vmin shift instability" bug. Upgrading platforms is challenging due to high memory prices, with DDR5-6000 RAM costing at least 0. Many users are choosing to keep their 12th Gen CPUs, prioritizing budgets for other components like graphics cards. The 12th Gen series is viewed as Intel's last strong lineup, with users awaiting a successor that can match its performance and reliability.
We test the RTX Spark Superchip in Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra — Nvidia's Windows on Arm platform impresses in local AI, but gaming isn't its strong suit
Winsage
October 15, 2026

We test the RTX Spark Superchip in Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra — Nvidia’s Windows on Arm platform impresses in local AI, but gaming isn’t its strong suit

Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang introduced the RTX Spark platform at Computex 2026, which integrates the GB10 Superchip with a specialized version of Windows on Arm for local AI execution. Nvidia collaborates with Microsoft, Dell, HP, MSI, Lenovo, and Asus to create PCs that function as autonomous companions. The platform's local AI performance is assessed using a new benchmark called AgentPerf-local, focusing on completion time for AI tasks. The RTX Spark-powered Surface Laptop Ultra has shown good performance, though it comes with a high price of ,899 for 1TB of storage. The platform faces challenges due to rising DRAM and NAND prices and is still in development, with full software infrastructure yet to be established.
Jensen Huang remembers Windows early days, crediting Microsoft, says that 'Nvidia was founded because of Windows'; CEO Satya Nadella jokes: If you could just do a little transfer of...
Winsage
October 9, 2026

Jensen Huang remembers Windows early days, crediting Microsoft, says that ‘Nvidia was founded because of Windows’; CEO Satya Nadella jokes: If you could just do a little transfer of…

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that Nvidia was founded due to the introduction of Windows 3.1 in 1992, which laid the groundwork for GPUs. He highlighted that Windows 95 and DirectX allowed for the integration of GPUs into PCs, with DirectX 8 enabling the creation of the first programmable GPU featuring programmable shaders, leading to CUDA. Huang emphasized that without Windows, there would be no GeForce, and consequently, AI researchers might not have had the necessary computational resources for deep learning. The conversation also touched on a four-year collaboration between Nvidia and Microsoft that resulted in the RTX Spark project, which required over 4,000 engineering years and extensive testing across more than 1,200 applications. Laptops featuring RTX Spark are available for preorder, with shipments starting on October 16.
Someone squeezed Windows 95 onto an ESP32-P4, and so can you
Winsage
October 9, 2026

Someone squeezed Windows 95 onto an ESP32-P4, and so can you

A developer has successfully run Windows 95 on an ESP32-P4 board using the tiny386 emulator. The project, initiated by GitHub user winitboonkliang, allows Windows 95 to boot from a microSD card onto the ESP32-P4's 1280×800 MIPI-DSI display, with USB keyboard and mouse support. The implementation utilizes a port of tiny386, an x86 PC emulator. This project is not intended for everyday use but serves as a study project to explore the limits of running legacy software on compact hardware. A detailed guide is available on GitHub, outlining compatibility issues and limitations.
AMD & Perplexity bring local AI to Ryzen Windows PCs
Winsage
September 29, 2026

AMD & Perplexity bring local AI to Ryzen Windows PCs

AMD and Perplexity have launched Portable Computer, a software solution for Windows PCs with Ryzen AI Max Series processors, enabling local AI tasks and workflow management for Pro and Max subscribers. This allows users to run extensive AI models on their devices without relying on cloud processing, enhancing privacy and conserving Perplexity Computer credits. The software integrates local models with agent orchestration, scheduling, and security controls, and connects with popular workplace applications like Gmail and Slack. AMD's AI PCs, introduced in 2023, feature a neural processing unit that allows local AI operations alongside standard applications. This collaboration signifies a shift towards more AI processing on personal devices, aiming to automate tasks and improve user experience. Jack Huynh from AMD highlighted the transformation of PCs into intelligent partners, emphasizing the coexistence of local and cloud AI in their strategy.
Bill Gates’s 'kind lesson' that Windows developer, now a billionaire, took to Sea when he built his $500 million Yacht
Winsage
September 17, 2026

Bill Gates’s ‘kind lesson’ that Windows developer, now a billionaire, took to Sea when he built his $500 million Yacht

Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, created a custom-built superyacht named Leviathan, delivered by Oceanco. The 364-foot yacht features a glass wall etched with the names of nearly 3,000 contributors, honoring the collaborative effort behind its creation. Leviathan includes luxurious amenities like a 10-meter swimming pool and operates as a sophisticated oceanic base, equipped with a dive and scientific workstation, a laboratory, and 3D printing capabilities. The yacht also has an entertainment lounge optimized for holographic displays and a soundproof suite for music and video editing.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
September 17, 2026

Microsoft Calls In NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang For Its Biggest Windows Event In Years

Microsoft will hold a Windows event on October 7 in San Francisco, marking its first major dedicated Windows gathering in over two years. The event will feature CEO Satya Nadella, Windows and Surface chief Pavan Davuluri, and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, focusing on the impact of local AI on personal computing. A highlight will be the Surface Laptop Ultra, designed to compete with the MacBook Pro, featuring a custom NVIDIA RTX Spark SoC, an NVIDIA Blackwell GPU, up to 128GB of RAM, and the ability to run complex AI models on-device. Microsoft has also introduced a Workload Profile Scheduling system for efficient task distribution across CPU cores and optimized its Prism emulation layer for legacy x86 applications on ARM systems. The event is not expected to announce Windows 12, as Microsoft will focus on enhancing Windows 11. Major hardware partners like Dell, Lenovo, and ASUS are also involved in the RTX Spark ecosystem.
Microsoft announces October 7 Windows and Surface event
Winsage
September 16, 2026

Microsoft announces October 7 Windows and Surface event

Microsoft will hold an event on October 7 in San Francisco to unveil innovations in AI, Windows, and the Surface Laptop Ultra, along with the Nvidia RTX Spark. The focus will be on local AI capabilities on Windows PCs, and attendees can expect announcements regarding the availability and pricing of the Surface Laptop Ultra. High-profile figures, including CEO Satya Nadella and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, will be present at the event.
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