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CES 2026: Showcasing new Windows 11 PC innovations across the ecosystem
Winsage
January 13, 2026

CES 2026: Showcasing new Windows 11 PC innovations across the ecosystem

CES showcased significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) integrated into the Windows ecosystem, with various companies unveiling new products. Acer introduced the Copilot+ PCs, including the Swift 16 AI laptop with a haptic touchpad and Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop. ASUS launched the Zenbook DUO, featuring dual OLED touchscreens, and the ROG Zephyrus Duo, a dual-screen gaming laptop. Dell refreshed its XPS brand with new laptops and monitors, while HP presented the EliteBook X G2 Series and the EliteBoard G1a Next Gen AI PC. Lenovo revealed several new Copilot+ PCs, and Samsung introduced the Galaxy Book6 series. AMD and Intel announced new processor lines, with AMD's Ryzen AI 400 Mobile Series and Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 processors. Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon X2 Plus for enhanced AI experiences in PCs.
HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard, and I love it — a Windows-based approach to the Raspberry Pi 500 with self-repairable parts
Winsage
January 6, 2026

HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard, and I love it — a Windows-based approach to the Raspberry Pi 500 with self-repairable parts

HP introduced the EliteBoard G1a at CES 2026, a keyboard that integrates a mini PC powered by AMD's Ryzen AI 300 PRO mobile processors, featuring a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of delivering up to 50 TOPS. It is designed to cater to hybrid workers using external monitors with laptops closed. The internal components include upgradeable DDR5 SODIMM RAM and M.2 NVMe solid-state drives. Key specifications include: - OS: Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro - CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 PRO - GPU: Up to AMD Radeon 860M integrated - RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5-5600 SODIMM - Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 512GB encrypted PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 32GB eMMC v5.0 (Ryzen AI 7 350 only) - Ports: 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (detached cable); 1x tethered USB4, 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (attached cable) - Connectivity: MediaTek RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3, MediaTek MT7925 Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6.0 - Audio: Stereo speakers, Stereo microphones - Power: Configurable 32Whr battery (3.5+ hours), 65W USB-C GaN power adapter - Dimensions: 358mm x 118mm x 17mm, weight 1.49 - 1.69 lbs The design includes a spill-resistant keyboard that can be replaced in about ten minutes and a removable bottom panel for easy access to internal components. Both models support up to four 4K monitors at 60Hz and offer around 3.5 hours of usage on a full charge. The EliteBoard G1a has received a CES Innovation Award.
Windows PC gaming in 2025: Handheld innovation, Arm progress and DirectX advances
Winsage
December 9, 2025

Windows PC gaming in 2025: Handheld innovation, Arm progress and DirectX advances

Windows has been a key platform for PC gaming, evolving significantly by 2025 with advancements in handheld gaming and performance. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, powered by AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors, were introduced, enhancing handheld gaming experiences. The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was launched for these devices, optimizing gaming interfaces. Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) was implemented, reducing load times by over 80% for some titles. System-level performance improvements included tuned power management and lower CPU overhead. Windows also focused on Arm devices, enabling local game installations through the Xbox PC app and expanding compatibility with the Prism emulator. Native anti-cheat support was introduced for Arm devices, enhancing competitive gaming. DirectX 12 advancements included features that improved ray tracing performance by up to 2.3×. Bluetooth LE Audio support was added to enhance audio quality for gamers. Upcoming innovations include expanding FSE to more Windows devices, further ASD support, and a preview of Auto Super Resolution for improved visuals in games.
New Steam Deck rivals are getting ridiculous, with 9-inch screens and 5x the performance, and I need one right now
AppWizard
November 28, 2025

New Steam Deck rivals are getting ridiculous, with 9-inch screens and 5x the performance, and I need one right now

The Ayaneo Next 2 is a handheld gaming device featuring AMD's Strix Halo processor, which has a GPU over five times more powerful than the Steam Deck. It includes a 9-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,504 pixels and a 165Hz refresh rate. The device has an ergonomic design, larger than many current handhelds, with features like touchpads, ABXY buttons, a d-pad, analog sticks, dual-mode triggers, and an extra-large battery. The Strix Halo chip has shown impressive 1080p gaming performance in previous reviews, while concerns exist regarding battery life, heat management, and noise levels. The Ayaneo Next 2 is expected to be priced similarly to other handhelds with the Strix Halo chip, which may exceed ,000. An upcoming video stream will showcase its features in more detail.
I'd pay $1,500 for an Xbox Ally X with 2.5x the performance, and this leaked AMD CPU could nudge that dream closer to reality
AppWizard
November 5, 2025

I’d pay $1,500 for an Xbox Ally X with 2.5x the performance, and this leaked AMD CPU could nudge that dream closer to reality

AMD is rumored to be developing the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 chip, featuring the largest integrated GPU it has produced, built on the Strix Halo design. This chip has a streamlined architecture with eight CPU cores and 40 compute units (CUs) based on RDNA 3.5 architecture, distinguishing it from its predecessor, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which has 16 CPU cores. The Max+ 388's GPU is expected to be significantly more powerful than existing models like the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally X, potentially offering 2.5 times the performance of the Xbox Ally X. The current market for handheld gaming chips includes devices like the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally X, with the Max+ 388 anticipated to set a new benchmark for portable gaming performance. The only current handheld using the Strix Halo architecture is the GPD Win 5, priced around ,000.
AMD kills Windows 10 support in its latest Adrenalin update — Battlefield 6 picks up bug fixes and optimizations
Winsage
October 31, 2025

AMD kills Windows 10 support in its latest Adrenalin update — Battlefield 6 picks up bug fixes and optimizations

On October 29, AMD released the Adrenalin software update version 25.10.2 for Radeon graphics, which includes support for games like Battlefield 6 and Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, both using DirectX 12. The update supports AMD Ryzen AI 5 330's integrated Radeon 820M graphics, expands Vulkan support, and includes various bug fixes. It is compatible with Windows 10 and requires Windows 11 version 21H2 or later. The update limits new game support to AMD's Radeon RX 7000 and RX 9000 GPUs, dropping support for older RDNA 1 and RDNA 2 graphics cards. The update also introduces "Work Graphs" support for Radeon RX 9000 GPUs, enhancing GPU autonomy. Fixed issues include crashes in several games and stuttering with VR headsets, while known issues persist with Battlefield 6 and other titles. The driver is available for download from the AMD website.
My Xbox Ally X testing shows why gaming laptops suck, and why Intel x Nvidia CPUs are such a big deal
AppWizard
October 18, 2025

My Xbox Ally X testing shows why gaming laptops suck, and why Intel x Nvidia CPUs are such a big deal

Gaming laptops struggle to balance portability, power, and battery life, while the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld demonstrates superior battery performance. The Xbox Ally X provides just under three hours of gaming time, surpassing the battery life of tested gaming laptops by over an hour, and lasts 17 hours and nine minutes in general desktop tasks compared to the Razer Blade 16's eight hours and 28 minutes and the Razer Blade 14's four hours and 24 minutes. The Razer Blade 14 offers higher graphical performance with an average of 97fps at 1080p in Cyberpunk 2077, while the Xbox Ally X achieves only 49fps. The design of gaming laptops, such as the Razer Blade 14, limits battery capacity, and the use of dual GPUs complicates usability. Future developments from Intel and Nvidia may improve integrated GPU performance and streamline the user experience.
Upgrading your Windows 10 PC? I answered the toughest question about buying laptops for you
Winsage
October 16, 2025

Upgrading your Windows 10 PC? I answered the toughest question about buying laptops for you

Laptops can be categorized into three primary usage types: school, work, and gaming. For school laptops, key factors are battery life and durability, with a recommended battery life of 12 hours or more. A sturdy 13- or 14-inch laptop is ideal for tasks like writing and web browsing. Notable options include the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (up to 21 hours of battery life) and the Lenovo Chromebook Plus (2K OLED touchscreen). The M1 MacBook Air is available for 9. Work laptops require powerful processors for demanding tasks like video conferencing and data analysis. Examples include the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V) and the Dell Premium 16 (4K touchscreen, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070). The HP EliteBook Ultra G1i features a 9MP webcam and 2.8K OLED display. Gaming laptops prioritize performance and display quality, with a preference for high refresh rates. The Alienware 18 Area-51 (Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070) and Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (16-inch 240Hz OLED display) are highlighted. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 features an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060. Versatile models that can handle all three categories include the MacBook Pro M4, Dell 14 Plus, and Acer Swift 16 AI, which features a 3K OLED display and Intel Core Ultra processors.
Zorin OS 18 Released Just in Time for Windows 10 EOL
Winsage
October 15, 2025

Zorin OS 18 Released Just in Time for Windows 10 EOL

Zorin OS is developed by Zorin OS Technologies Limited, founded by brothers Artyom and Kyrill Zorin. The recent launch of Zorin OS 18 features a refreshed interface with rounded corners, a floating panel, and lighter colors, along with enhanced animations for better navigation. It is built on the Linux kernel 6.14, which supports AMD Ryzen AI NPU6 and improves AES encryption performance for Zen 4/5 CPUs. The new window tiling manager allows users to organize windows efficiently by dragging them to screen edges or corners. Zorin OS 18 provides a seamless experience for users transitioning from Windows, suggesting Linux alternatives when launching Windows app installers. Zorin OS 18 Core is available for free, while Zorin OS 18 Pro is priced at .99 and includes additional features. Users can upgrade from Zorin OS 18 Core Beta to the stable release and will soon be able to upgrade from Zorin OS 17 to 18.
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