RAW Archives

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?

The handheld PC market is currently divided between powerful Windows devices, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and Steam OS-powered devices that focus on gaming immersion. Steam OS allows users to access their game libraries immediately upon booting, providing a distraction-free experience. In performance comparisons, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S show a 69% speed increase on SteamOS (39 fps) compared to Windows (23 fps), while the ROG Ally X can see a 32% performance boost with SteamOS. Battery life differs significantly, with the Steam Deck offering 3 to 6 hours of gameplay versus the ROG Ally X's 2 to 4 hours, despite the latter having a larger battery. Windows handhelds provide compatibility with various gaming platforms but suffer from inefficiencies due to background processes that consume CPU resources. Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience attempts to improve usability but does not resolve the underlying issues. Windows handhelds typically have 8GB or 16GB of VRAM, which may be insufficient for future games, while SteamOS's lighter footprint allows for better VRAM allocation, enhancing performance. SteamOS is gaining traction not necessarily due to technical superiority but because of its efficiency in addressing the unique constraints of handheld gaming.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

The upcoming Disco Elysium for D&D nerds just dropped a 90-minute supercut of its weirdly beautiful soundtrack

Publisher Raw Fury has released "90 Minutes of Esoteric Ebb Music | A Lazy Day in Norvik" on YouTube as a preview of the soundtrack for the upcoming fantasy RPG, Esoteric Ebb. The soundtrack features elements typical of fantasy games, including wistful strings and memorable synths, distinguishing it from its inspiration, Disco Elysium. Esoteric Ebb combines narrative depth and urban exploration similar to Disco Elysium while incorporating classic Dungeons & Dragons elements, including spellcasting and combat. The demo includes a dialogue-based combat scenario where players can engage in ability checks against a zombie. The game is available for wishlisting on Steam.

BetaBeacon

February 21, 2026

Warframe Is Now Available On Android

Warframe has officially launched on Android devices, offering high-speed action and deep customization to mobile players. The game is compatible with specific Android devices and part of a broader cross-platform strategy, allowing players to seamlessly move between platforms without losing progress. New and returning players who log in before March 4th will receive rewards. Warframe has evolved over the years with expansions, regular content drops, and player-friendly monetization. The game features biomechanical warriors known as Warframes with unique abilities, fluid parkour mechanics, and various mission types.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Facebook ads spread fake Windows 11 downloads that steal passwords and crypto wallets

Attackers are using social media advertising, specifically paid Facebook ads, to promote a malware campaign disguised as legitimate Microsoft promotions. They create near-exact replicas of the official Windows 11 download page to lure users into downloading malicious software. The deceptive domains used include ms-25h2-download[.]pro and ms-25h2-update[.]pro. The malware campaign employs geofencing to selectively target victims, redirecting security researchers to benign sites while delivering malware to unsuspecting users. The malicious file, named ms-update32.exe, is hosted on GitHub and mimics the size of a legitimate Windows installer. Once executed, it checks for monitoring tools and, if none are detected, installs an application named "Lunar" that collects sensitive data, including cryptocurrency wallet information. The malware maintains persistence by writing data to the Windows registry and employs various obfuscation techniques to evade detection. The attackers run parallel ad campaigns with different Facebook Pixel IDs to ensure continued operation even if one is suspended. Indicators of compromise include specific file hashes, domains, file system artifacts, and registry keys associated with the malware.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

Avast Antivirus in 2026: Still Worth Paying For on Windows and Mac?

Ransomware is evolving, and many users in the United States continue to invest in Avast Antivirus as of 2026. Avast, now part of Gen Digital, has shifted from a traditional free antivirus to a comprehensive consumer security suite, which includes three tiers: Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, and Avast One. The product lineup features a core antivirus engine, ransomware and phishing protection, a firewall, Wi-Fi inspector, built-in VPN, and performance cleanup tools. Avast's core antivirus engine provides real-time file scanning and web/email shields, consistently ranking high in independent lab tests for malware protection. The ransomware shield protects sensitive folders from unauthorized encryption, while the firewall and Wi-Fi inspector are available in paid tiers. The built-in VPN is designed for safer public Wi-Fi use, and performance tools aim to optimize system efficiency. Pricing for Avast products in the US varies, with a free tier supported by upsell prompts for premium features, Premium Security typically offered as an annual subscription, and Avast One marketed as a higher-value bundle. Renewal pricing often increases significantly after the first year, leading to user complaints. Microsoft Defender is now effective enough that many experts believe average users may not need third-party antivirus software, but Avast justifies its subscription by offering stronger web protection, more control over app permissions, and additional non-security features. User feedback highlights strong protection but frequent upsell prompts, performance issues on low-end machines, and concerns over past data collection practices. Avast is seen as valuable for households with mixed tech literacy, remote workers, students on older hardware, and users seeking basic privacy protections.

BetaBeacon

February 18, 2026

This ultra-affordable Game Boy-style handheld just got an upgraded successor

The Game Console R36 Max 2 is a budget-friendly handheld gaming device that features a larger 4.5-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1,024 x 768. The device retains the Rockchip RK3326 chipset from the previous model and has improvements in the sticks and layout.

Tech Optimizer

February 14, 2026

Creating a Data Pipeline to Monitor Local Crime Trends

The dataset utilized consists of police log entries from the Cambridge Police Department (CPD), which includes the date and time of incidents, type of incident, location, and a detailed description. The project follows a structured ETL process that involves extracting data via the Socrata Open Data API, validating the data for integrity, transforming it for optimal storage, and loading it into a PostgreSQL database. The extraction is performed using a Python client for the API, and validation checks ensure the presence of expected columns and the integrity of the data. The transformation process includes removing duplicates and splitting the datetime column into separate components. The data is then loaded into PostgreSQL, where a table is created to store the incidents. The entire ETL process is automated using Prefect, allowing for daily execution. Finally, the data is visualized using Metabase, which connects to the PostgreSQL database to create dashboards that display crime trends over time.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Windows 11’s Gaming Gains Overshadowed by Stability Crisis: Performance Tests Reveal a Troubled Transition

Microsoft's Windows 11 version 24H2 shows performance improvements in gaming, with frame rate enhancements ranging from 2% to 8% across various titles, particularly benefiting newer DirectX 12 games. However, users report significant stability issues, including Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, crashes during gameplay, and compatibility problems with certain hardware and software. These issues affect a wide range of systems, suggesting systemic challenges rather than isolated incidents. The operating system's hardware compatibility requirements, such as TPM 2.0 support, have also limited upgrade eligibility for many users. Microsoft has acknowledged specific issues related to Intel and AMD processors, antivirus software conflicts, and outdated drivers. Despite ongoing patch deployments, user frustration persists due to the slow pace of fixes. The stability concerns have led some businesses to delay Windows 11 24H2 deployments, prioritizing reliability over performance gains. The driver ecosystem's lag in updates from hardware manufacturers has further complicated stability. The gaming community remains divided, with many users opting to stay on Windows 10 due to these stability risks.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Microsoft’s Quiet Exodus: Why Enterprise Developers Are Abandoning Windows for Linux Workstations

Microsoft developers and enterprise technology leaders are increasingly choosing Linux over Windows for development tasks, driven by performance concerns, workflow inefficiencies, and the rise of cloud-native development. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has facilitated this shift by allowing developers to work in a Linux environment while still using Windows. Tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform, which are primarily designed for Linux, have led to a reevaluation of desktop strategies across various industries. Linux provides direct access to the same kernel and toolchain used in production, reducing discrepancies that can lead to bugs. It typically requires less memory at idle compared to Windows, making it more efficient for developers managing multiple containers or virtual machines. Microsoft has responded by investing in platform-agnostic tools like Visual Studio Code and embracing Linux on its Azure cloud platform, where over 50% of virtual machines run Linux. The introduction of WSL2 has improved compatibility and performance, but it has also highlighted Windows' limitations, leading to frustrations among developers. Security considerations favor Linux due to its open-source nature, allowing for greater customization and auditing. Financially, Linux can be more economical for enterprises due to lower licensing costs and reduced hardware requirements. Organizations that have switched to Linux report significant improvements in build times and overall developer experience. Hybrid strategies are emerging to accommodate developer preferences while ensuring security, with cloud-based development environments gaining traction. The trend toward Linux workstations reflects broader industry movements toward open source and platform independence, as companies adapt to attract and retain technical talent.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

Maybe I should just buy Factorio? I’d like Arknights: Endfield a lot more if it would stop trying to be Genshin Impact and just let me build

The anime gacha game market is becoming increasingly similar, with Genshin Impact as a dominant influence. New titles often struggle to differentiate themselves, leading to a saturation of open-world action RPGs with collectible anime characters. Arknights: Endfield introduces a unique factory-building mechanic, allowing players to mine materials and manage conveyor belt systems, which sets it apart from typical gacha games. Honkai: Star Rail is noted for its turn-based gameplay and humor, while other titles like Zenless Zone Zero and Genshin Impact feature vibrant character designs but face challenges with monetization strategies that can detract from gameplay enjoyment. Despite the innovations in Endfield, it still caters to the Genshin Impact audience, highlighting a desire for more engaging gameplay without the complexities of traditional action RPGs.