specifications Archives

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Ambitious gamer turns fanless Subway menu PCs into gaming rigs — passive Intel Core i3 units manage just 15 fps in GTA V and 25 fps in Minecraft

Garkus repurposed three Advantech DS-081 mini PCs, previously used by Subway, which are powered by Intel Core i3 6100U processors with Intel HD Graphics 520 and originally had 4GB of RAM, later upgraded to 8GB. The mini PCs were designed for continuous operation in temperatures from 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F) and initially ran Windows in kiosk mode. Garkus tested various operating systems, including Bazzite Linux and macOS Monterey. He successfully ran Peggle but struggled with Grand Theft Auto V, which averaged around 15 fps and experienced long load times and crashes. Testing Mario Kart Wii emulation and Minecraft yielded inconsistent results, with Minecraft hovering around 25 fps. Garkus concluded that the mini PCs are better suited for emulating older consoles, particularly up to the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox era, recommending lighter games and lower settings for a smoother experience.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Cheap Android TV Boxes Pose as Phones and Turn Owners’ Broadband Into Proxies

Bitsight's investigation revealed that inexpensive Android TV boxes are being shipped with applications that can change their hardware identity, allowing them to impersonate popular smartphone brands like Samsung and Huawei. This operation, named Fuyao, is linked to Zhejiang Fengwo IoT Technology Co., Ltd., a Chinese company established in 2019. The H96MAXV11 model was frequently reported among the affected devices. In one day, the operation received 65,957 reports from about 38,000 unique MAC addresses, with many devices misidentified as phones due to spoofed identifiers. Fengwo has also promoted over 120,000 "AI digital humans," though details on this marketing term are vague. The command-and-control server for Fuyao sends phone profiles to devices, masking their actual hardware specifications. The operation uses machine vision technology and a YOLOv8s object-detection model to identify advertisements. Bitsight documented 40 fraud tasks, 21 unique campaigns, and 166 modules across four devices. The operation's payout structure involves 144 operator-owned domains, with an estimated gross return of .25 per device daily, potentially leading to annual revenues in the millions. Attribution to Fengwo is supported by shared TLS certificate data and public patent records, although the patents do not directly address advertising. There is uncertainty about how the fraudulent apps were installed and at what point in the supply chain they were introduced. Device owners are advised to verify Play Protect certification and disconnect suspicious devices.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Windows NT 4.0 brought the Win95 UI to servers 30 years ago today — milestone unifying modern Windows OS hi…

On July 31, 1996, Microsoft unveiled Windows NT 4.0 to its manufacturing partners. This release, codenamed Cairo, integrated the Windows 95 interface into a 32-bit enterprise OS and was the last version to support Alpha, MIPS, or PowerPC CPU architectures. The first public release of the NT line was Windows NT Server 3.1 in 1993, followed by versions 3.5 and 3.51 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Windows NT 4.0 introduced features like My Computer and My Documents, as well as advanced components such as the cryptography API, DCOM, TAPI 2.0, and DirectX (v2). It had low minimum system requirements, recommending a CPU of 33 MHz or better, 32MB of RAM, SVGA graphics, and a 256 MB hard disk. NT 4.0 served as the foundation for Windows XP, which was released in 2001.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Windows NT 4.0 brought the Win95 UI to servers 30 years ago today — milestone unifying modern Windows OS hit RTM in the Pentium era

On July 31, 1996, Microsoft released Windows NT 4.0, codenamed Cairo, which integrated the Windows 95 interface into a 32-bit enterprise operating system. It was the last version to support multiple CPU architectures, including Alpha, MIPS, and PowerPC. Windows NT 4.0 included features such as the Start Menu, Taskbar, Task Manager, and support for advanced functionalities like the cryptography API and DirectX (v2). The minimum hardware requirements were a CPU of 33 MHz or better, 32MB of RAM, SVGA graphics, and a 256 MB hard disk. Following its launch, Microsoft introduced versions for embedded systems and a Terminal Server edition. The release of Windows XP in 2001 marked a shift away from DOS-based consumer operating systems.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Microsoft Ended Windows 10 Support, but You Don’t Necessarily Need a New PC

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10, which means it will no longer receive technical assistance, feature updates, or security patches. Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which has been extended to October 2027, allowing users to continue receiving essential security updates if their device meets specific criteria. Eligibility for ESU includes running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstations edition, having the latest Windows update installed, being signed in with an administrator Microsoft account, and enabling Windows Backup. ESU is free for users utilizing Windows Backup; otherwise, a one-time fee or redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points is required. For devices not qualifying for ESU, alternatives include installing third-party antivirus software, upgrading to Windows 11, or switching to Linux. To enroll in ESU, users can navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, where an Enroll Now link will appear if eligible.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Video: Here’s 19 minutes of Gears of War: E-Day Horde Siege mode gameplay running on the ‘Ludicrous’ PC preset

Gears of War: E-Day features a new multiplayer mode called Horde Siege, where 12 players are divided into three squads with unique objectives on the same map. The gameplay includes large-scale events like Boss Invasions that encourage cooperation among squads. A preview session showcased the 'Blitz' variation on the Golden Quarter map, using high-end PC specifications. Players who pre-order the game will access an open beta from August 6-10, which will include one Horde Siege map and a level cap of 10. The beta will also feature two Versus modes and two maps, while the full game will launch on October 6 with additional content. The Premium Edition offers five days of early access starting October 1.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Minecraft Java Edition Now Demands 16GB RAM in First Hardware Overhaul in 17 Years

Mojang Studios has updated the system requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition for the first time in 17 years, raising the recommended memory to 16GB of RAM. The new minimum specifications include a 64-bit operating system, a quad-core CPU, a graphics card supporting Vulkan 1.3 API with at least 2GB of VRAM, and 8GB of system RAM for discrete GPUs or 12GB for integrated graphics. For the recommended "Fancy" preset, 16GB of system memory, a current-generation processor, and a graphics card with 6GB or more of VRAM are required. Older hardware may struggle to run the game, leading to low frame rates and visual issues. Mojang is transitioning from OpenGL to Vulkan to enhance game performance and visuals. Players can still use Minecraft: Bedrock Edition for lower system requirements or community optimization mods like Sodium to improve performance on less capable hardware.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Minecraft’s system requirements are being raised for the first time in 17 years.

Mojang Studios has updated the system requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition for the first time in 17 years. The recommended memory requirement has increased from 4GB to 16GB. The new minimum requirements for Full HD resolution (1920x1080) at 30 frames per second (fps) include a CPU with four or more cores, a GPU supporting Vulkan 1.3 with at least 2GB of VRAM, and 8GB of memory for dedicated GPUs or 12GB for integrated GPUs. The recommended specifications for 60fps with 'Fancy' graphics settings include 16GB of RAM and 6GB or more of VRAM, with suggested GPUs like the GeForce RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 5600 XT. The old and new requirements show significant increases in memory and processing power, with the new minimum requirements including Windows 10 or 11, macOS 12 or later, and various CPU and GPU specifications. While systems not meeting the new minimum can still run the game, performance may vary, and future updates may affect compatibility. The update is part of a transition to Vulkan technology for improved performance and functionality.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

‘Minecraft’ Official PC Requirement Now Raises Recommended Specs After Over 17 Years

Mojang has updated the minimum and recommended system requirements for "Minecraft: Java Edition." The new minimum requirements include a 64-bit system, 8GB of RAM with a discrete GPU (or 12GB with integrated graphics), a 4-core processor, a Vulkan 1.3-capable GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM, and compatible operating systems (Windows 10 64-bit, Windows on ARM, macOS 12 or later, Linux 64-bit) to support 1080p resolution at 30 FPS using the Fast preset. The updated recommended requirements include 16GB of RAM, a stronger processor, a graphics card with 6GB of VRAM, and compatible operating systems (Windows 11 64-bit, macOS 14 or later, Linux 64-bit) to aim for 1080p at 60 FPS using the Fancy preset. Mojang emphasizes that these new specifications are modest compared to many modern AAA titles and aim to provide players with a clearer understanding of the hardware needed for optimal performance. The update does not affect "Minecraft: Bedrock Edition" and players with older setups may still launch the game, but performance cannot be guaranteed.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Pixel Watch 5 shows up again before launch, this time in one of Google’s own apps

The Pixel Watch 5 has appeared in Google's official Google Health app, indicating its imminent launch and suggesting that pairing support has been integrated. The setup screens still show artwork from the Pixel Watch 4, as Google has not updated the visuals for the new model. A user on Telegram shared a screenshot showing the Pixel Watch 5 at the top of the device list while pairing a new wearable, further confirming its readiness for integration. The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to be an iterative upgrade with a slightly higher price than its predecessor.