AMD’s FSR 4.1 update could be a game‑changer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Ally
Xbox In a video address, AMD revealed FSR 4.1 support is coming "soon" to Xbox consoles, and this week to Xbox Ally.
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Features
Upgrade your Xbox storage to make space for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
Xbox Modern Warfare 4's campaign alone will take up 137 GB on your Xbox, so I recommend grabbing some storage expansion.
Windows Wrap: The best PC Microsoft has ever made — and the OS that might be holding it back
Windows The new Surface Laptop Ultra proves Microsoft can build world-class hardware, but Windows 11 still dictates whether it's truly worth buying.
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Windows 11’s Search overhaul is coming fast — here’s what you really need to know
Windows 11 Microsoft's new Windows 11 Search adds inline actions and a cleaner interface, with richer results planned. Here's what you need to know and how to try it.
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What I already like (and dislike) about Lenovo's first RTX Spark-powered laptop
Laptops The new Lenovo Pro 9n with RTX Spark landed on my doorstep a couple of days ago, and I've been using it ever since.
I just found my perfect case blending modern PCs with retro beige
Features Hanging out at the SimRacing Expo in Frankfurt this week, I stumbled across a PC case that, while not a brand-new release, immediately grabbed my eyes, and is destined to become my next.
'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4' story campaign is truly a cinematic masterpiece — a BIG return to form
Gaming Windows Central goes hands-on with the full campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 for early impressions ahead of the early access release for preorders and full launch on October 23.
On This Day: Xbox’s 2015 “games everywhere” strategy revisited
On this Day A look back at Xbox’s 2015 “games everywhere” vision — the moment Phil Spencer sketched out a future that Asha Sharma is now fully realizing 11 years later.
Moonraker turns 10 and still looks ahead of its time
Flashback A decade later, Microsoft’s unreleased Moonraker smartwatch still feels like a glimpse into an alternate timeline.
Looking back at 2016’s “I love you, Xbox” — and how much (and little) has changed
Flashback Looking back at the 2016 editorial that captured Xbox’s growing pains and predicted the decade ahead.
Revisiting the LG Lancet, 11 years later
Flashback A look back at the LG Lancet and the era when Windows Phone 8.1 defined Microsoft’s mobile peak.
Windows & Software
Microsoft wants Edge to install security updates without restarting
Windows 11 Microsoft is testing a way to update Edge without restarting the browser, keeping compatible tabs open while applying important security fixes.
Microsoft's Windows Insider wallpapers were made on a Mac
Windows 11 Microsoft's Windows Insider anniversary wallpapers were apparently created on a Mac, giving critics an easy punchline at an awkward time.
Windows 11's Hybrid Intelligence features will breathe new life into NPUs
Windows 11 After a period of stagnation, Microsoft is evolving Copilot+ PCs and adding new AI experiences to Windows 11 that will dynamically run on device or in the cloud.
PC Hardware
Reviewers say RTX Spark laptops deliver the AI power creators want
Laptops The first wave of RTX Spark laptops earns praise from reviewers, drawing comparisons to Apple’s high-end MacBook Pro.
What I already like (and dislike) about Lenovo's first RTX Spark-powered laptop
Laptops The new Lenovo Pro 9n with RTX Spark landed on my doorstep a couple of days ago, and I've been using it ever since.
Surface Laptop Ultra review: So close to the perfect MacBook Pro alternative
Review Microsoft's top of the line Windows 11 PC is finally here, and it's giving the MacBook Pro a real good run for its money.
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Review roundup: RTX Spark's biggest surprise isn't performance
Laptops Experts are praising RTX Spark's AI, GPU, and creator-focused performance ahead of tomorrow's first full laptop reviews.
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Deals
The RTX Spark is here and Antonline is selling laptops equipped with it
Laptops With its advanced specs, the RTX Spark plans to make mincemeat out of complex AI-workflow tasks and graphical gaming demands, and it's now on sale within several laptops being sold by Antonline
Need a monitor upgrade? Alienware's sale offers OLED 4K or ultra-fast IPS 500Hz
Deals Alienware's best gaming monitors are on sale right now, whether you want stunning 4K OLED visuals or blistering 500Hz speed.
Walmart's event still has 2TB SSDs, OLED monitors, and RTX 5070 gaming laptops
Deals Walmart's 'Deals & More' is still live until October 11, and it includes discounts on gaming laptops, PC storage, and much more. These are the deals I'd grab.
Grab an XPS 13 for under $800 — the best laptop deal of the month is still going strong
Deal Prime Day hasn't started yet, but Dell's XPS 13 is already down to $799 with a $200 discount. There's even a model for just $599 if you can live with 8GB of RAM.
Handheld Gaming PCs
I opened ASUS' gigantic $2,499 ROG Xbox Ally X20 Pelican case, and there's a lot to unpack, literally
Unboxing The limited-edition ROG Xbox Ally X20 has landed with a gorgeous OLED display, translucent design, AR glasses, dbrand Killswitch, and one seriously over-the-top carrying case.
Gaming
Final Fantasy Resonance review: This return to turn-based combat was a joyous homecoming party
Review After decades of experimenting with action-RPGs, Final Fantasy returns to turn-based combat with Resonance, and it's a glorious HD-2D JRPG that old-school Final Fantasy fans should not miss.
Oblivion Remastered gets an FPS performance boost from an AI-generated PC patch
PC Gaming An Oblivion Remastered fan has used Claude AI to create a performance patch that reportedly boosts average FPS by 37%, offering another example of how AI tools are being used by gaming communities.
Artificial Intelligence
Forget the flashy AI features, this is the Copilot update that matters
AI Microsoft's latest Copilot update for Word adds source citations, making it easier to check whether AI-generated responses are actually correct.
Copilot reviewers speak out on grading AI-generated explicit content
AI Contractors reviewing Microsoft Copilot prompts report being flooded with sexually explicit images and potentially illegal user requests.
The Copilot+ PC brand is dead: How to remap your Copilot key
Laptops Microsoft is stepping back from the Copilot+ PC name, leaving many with an unused key that you can easily remap.
Microsoft Teams is losing its Copilot chat list shortcut next month
Apps Microsoft Teams will remove the Copilot shortcut from its chat list next month to steer users toward the full-featured app bar.
Microsoft
Bust out your Zune HD — It's time to play Super Mario 64
Microsoft Super Mario 64 running on a Zune HD ... what year is it?
I asked for this Teams feature years ago, and Microsoft finally delivered
Apps Teams will soon support direct video sharing from OneDrive, solving a major problem for remote presentations and events.
Microsoft cuts 4TB from Microsoft 365 Family, sparking backlash and cancelled subscriptions
Apps Microsoft 365 Family now includes 4TB less OneDrive storage, leaving subscribers with less value despite paying the same price.
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Join Daniel and Zac on October 2 at 2PM ET for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast
LIVE Join Daniel and Zac on October 7 for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast.
Peripherals & Accessories
The Razer Kiyo V2 Pro is a giant webcam, but it might not be for you
Review Razer is back with another webcam, the Kiyo V2 Pro, and it's pretty good, though it's also pretty pricey. But you'll only be interested if you're a content creator.
