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.
A modification in the Windows Registry can enable a native NVMe driver, potentially doubling the performance of solid-state drives (SSDs) by enhancing random read and write speeds by up to 80%. This driver is typically reserved for enterprise environments and is not officially available for consumer versions of Windows 11. The modification carries risks, including the possibility of rendering a system unbootable and disrupting features like BitLocker encryption. Early adopters have reported mixed results, with some experiencing significant performance improvements while others face stability issues. The tweak highlights the disparity between consumer and enterprise hardware capabilities and reflects ongoing discussions within the tech community about optimizing SSD performance.
Microsoft introduced a native NVMe driver in Windows Server 2025 to improve SSD performance by eliminating bottlenecks associated with the SCSI translation protocol. This driver allows for direct communication between NVMe drives and Windows, resulting in substantial improvements in random IOPS and reduced CPU overhead for enterprise systems. Tech-savvy users have found a way to enable this driver on Windows 11, leading to reported increases in throughput of up to 45 percent in specific storage tests. The performance enhancements are particularly noticeable in random access workloads, although users should be cautious when modifying the Windows registry due to potential risks. Speed improvements may not be significant for average users but could benefit power users and those running IOPS-intensive applications.
Windows users have relied on the disk.sys driver for storage management since 2006, which has not changed significantly despite support for NVMe since Windows 8.1. Microsoft has introduced nvmedisk.sys for Windows Server 2025 and a version in Windows 11 25H2, which improves performance by enhancing integration with NVMe technology. Tests show that nvmedisk.sys offers better raw throughput in sequential and random read/write tasks compared to disk.sys, as it removes the legacy SCSI translation layer, reducing overhead and improving latency, particularly on high-end SSDs. However, enabling nvmedisk.sys may cause system instability or boot failures if the SSD controller lacks compatibility, and users are advised to check the current driver in Device Manager and back up data before switching drivers. The new driver is still in a soft launch phase, and there is uncertainty about when it will be available in a stable build.
Upgrading to Windows 11 involves careful planning and preparation. Start by updating Windows 10 to ensure recent updates are applied. Acquire a USB flash drive (at least 8GB) for the installation process, and document current software licenses as some applications may require reactivation. Check for driver updates to ensure hardware compatibility with Windows 11.
There are three main upgrade methods:
1. Windows Update Automatic Upgrade: Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, check for updates, and if compatible, download and install Windows 11. This method retains files and applications and typically takes 20 to 40 minutes.
2. Media Creation Tool Installation: Download the Media Creation Tool, run it, and follow prompts to create installation media on a USB drive. This method is useful for upgrading multiple devices.
3. Clean Installation Process: Insert the USB drive with setup files, restart the device, boot from the USB, and follow the instructions for a custom installation. This method erases all existing data, so comprehensive backups are necessary.
Effective planning is crucial, and it is advisable to start the upgrade process well before the deadline of October 14, 2025. This allows time for testing applications, training staff, and addressing hardware requirements. Ensure all devices are compatible to avoid security issues, and consider a robust data protection strategy, such as a 3-2-1 backup approach.
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for users with genuine Windows 10 licenses. If a device does not meet the requirements, it cannot be upgraded. Users can roll back to Windows 10 within 10 days of the upgrade, retaining previous files. The upgrade process typically takes around 20 minutes, depending on various factors.
Planning the upgrade early helps mitigate operational disruptions, allowing for staggered upgrades and reduced risks of security vulnerabilities as Windows 10 support ends.
Helldivers 2 was initially reported to require 154GB of storage, aimed at accommodating older mechanical hard drives in PCs. However, analytics revealed that only 11% of players used HDDs, and the main cause of slowdowns was level generation rather than asset loading. In response, Arrowhead is testing a "slim" version of the game in public beta, which is 23GB, significantly reducing the storage requirement while maintaining gameplay integrity. This change allows players to install additional games, potentially fitting at least 13 indie city-builders in the space previously occupied by the original version.
Arrowhead Studios has reduced the installation size of the PC version of Helldivers 2 to 23GB, down from 154GB, by optimizing asset management with Nixxes. This reduction involved eliminating duplicated assets, which previously aimed to enhance loading times for players using mechanical hard drives. The studio confirmed that the majority of loading time is due to level generation rather than asset loading, and the differences in loading times between the new and old versions are minimal. A "slim version" is currently available for testing, with plans to make it the default version after confirming stability. The legacy version is expected to be discontinued next year.
- Third-party registry cleaners are no longer effective and can cause more problems than they solve.
- Windows 10's Storage Sense automatically manages temporary and unnecessary files, making manual Disk Cleanup unnecessary.
- Disk defragmentation is not needed for solid-state drives (SSDs) as Windows 11 automatically optimizes them.
- Relying on third-party driver updaters can be risky; it's better to use the built-in updater from the PC manufacturer or trusted sources like Nvidia or AMD.
- Using a program like BCUninstaller allows users to uninstall multiple applications simultaneously, making the process more efficient.
The storage requirement for Helldivers 2 on PC is 150GB, which is significantly larger than the console version. Developer Arrowhead acknowledges the frustration this has caused and considers it a top priority to address. Game director Mikael Eriksson noted that the large file size is due to technical challenges, including the duplication of data files to improve loading times for users with mechanical hard drives (HDDs). In contrast, console file sizes are smaller because they do not require such duplications, as SSDs are standard on those platforms. Arrowhead is committed to optimizing performance and storage efficiency.
