Latest articles by Ben Wilson
Is Windows becoming too reliant on the cloud if it can lock me out of Notepad?
Opinion I recently lost the ability to open Notepad and other apps on my Windows 11 PC when Microsoft's servers suffered authentication issues. Has it gone too far?
Forget a full tower — these mini PCs are the best we've tested
PC Mini PCs are an excellent alternative to full-size desktop PCs, eliminating empty space inside a tower while also keeping the price way down. Here are the best we've tested so far at Windows Central.
Valve's Steam Machine PC is delayed due to memory and storage shortages
PC Gaming Valve's gaming PC, controller, and VR headset are tentatively scheduled for the first half of 2026, but exact pricing and release plans are in limbo.
These are the best keyboards we've tested so far
Accessories With countless options on the market, choosing a new keyboard for your PC can be daunting. I curated this list of the best we've tested for a wide range of uses.
Here are the best pre-built gaming PCs for sim racing in 2025
PC Gaming The best pre-built gaming PCs for sim racing will offer a more personalized experience than a console. Grab a ready-made computer and hit the racetrack.
The best flight sticks for Microsoft Flight Simulator
Gaming Introducing a joystick to your Microsoft Flight Simulator experience further adds to the realism, and I've rounded up the best you can buy.
You don't have to spend a lot to get a quality desktop computer
PC Desktop computers aren't known for being cheap, but there are affordable options that pack a punch. My top picks will help you find your next budget PC.
These pre-built PCs are ideal for playing Flight Simulator
PC Gaming Flight Simulator is the premier title for anyone who loves to fly, and having the right PC for the job can make all the difference. Here are my favorites.
These great gaming laptops make it easy to game on the go
Laptops With one of the best gaming laptops in your hands, you can forget about needing a bulky desktop rig. From budget options to elite picks, here are our favorites.
NVIDIA launches a native GeForce NOW Linux app for Ubuntu, following SteamOS
PC Gaming NVIDIA has followed through on its CES 2026 promise to bring GeForce NOW cloud gaming to more Linux devices with official support for Ubuntu.
AMD's Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a higher-binned 9800X3D with a price premium, and that's fine
Review I tested AMD's new Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop CPU to see if it's worth the money over its 9800X3D predecessor. Should you spend an extra $30 for 400MHz?
HYTE's X50 PC case is cute but functional, and I think I love it
Review Do bubbly little "feet" and quirky colors make the HYTE X50 a good PC case? Here's what I think about this quirky option and how I tested it at home.
Windows 11 apps like Notepad and the Xbox Ally Armoury Crate are suddenly broken
Windows 11 Windows 11 is currently a minefield as a 0x803f8001 error blocks core apps. If your PC is refusing to open Notepad, you aren't alone.
What is Bazzite, and is it any better than Windows for PC gaming?
PC Gaming Learn about this emerging Linux distribution and whether it's a threat to Windows. Does it lack too many features to appeal to anyone outside the gaming crowd?
Adobe Photoshop spotted running on Linux with a Windows compatibility fix
Software Are Adobe's apps some of the only killer software keeping users on Windows 11? That might change soon, as a WINE breakthrough has Photoshop running on Linux.
The are the best gaming laptops for playing Microsoft Flight Simulator
Laptops Take to the virtual skies wherever you are with a gaming laptop capable of efficiently running Microsoft Flight Simulator without issue.
Need a laptop for video meetings? These are the best we've tested.
Laptops If you're in need of a great PC to use for video conferencing and Zoom meetings, these top-rated laptops we reviewed won't disappoint.
Handhelds like Valve's Steam Deck are just too big — Sony nailed the form 16 years ago
Handhelds Handhelds are a modern marvel, but they're getting way too big. Is the PSP Go an example of what we should have done, or is that space filled by smartphones?
Unreleased Intel Arc B770 Battlemage GPU referenced in Panther Lake drivers
PC Gaming Hints of the codenamed Intel Arc BMG-G31 discrete GPU were found in Panther Lake laptop drivers, but the B770 was never announced at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
Windows Central's CES 2026 awards
Hardware These are the most impressive devices shown at CES 2026 this year, from laptops and desktops to innovative new hardware.
HyperX reveals its Clutch Tachi arcade controller with native Xbox support
Xbox The upcoming HyperX Clutch Tachi arcade controller features cutting-edge sensors and a detachable faceplate that can be replaced using 3D-printable blueprints.
HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard with its clever new EliteBoard G1a
Desktops HP just unveiled its EliteBoard G1a "Next Gen AI PC" at CES 2026, a Copilot+ PC cleverly disguised as a keyboard with upgradeable RAM and storage, and I'm obsessed.
Cyberpunk 2077 earns a user-made VHS filter — are CRT TVs cool again?
PC Gaming Cyberpunk might be set in 2077, but some gamers are still clinging to the warming glow of CRT TVs as this fan-made VHS filter for Windows PCs proves.
