Ben started at Windows Central as a freelance writer covering PC gaming and a wider range of Windows PC categories. After joining as Channel Editor for the same topics, he soon moved up to Senior Editor and now oversees content on Windows 11, PC gaming, and components. Before all this, he worked various technology-centric roles in the retail space, giving advice and support on Windows laptops and broader gaming hardware.
A firm Windows XP fan, he began his journey with an obsession with his family's Windows 3.1 PC and eventually convinced them to upgrade to Windows 95 with a stack of floppy disks and paper manuals. Ben is still committed to Windows but also ventures into the Linux-based Steam Deck handheld gaming PC to explore cross-platform opportunities and regularly keeps up with the latest graphics card news.
Latest articles by Ben Wilson

I rebuilt my classic Xbox 360 avatar in this clever web-based generator
By Ben Wilson Published
Xbox The fan-made 360sona web app rebuilds the Xbox avatar creator and features over 20,000 authentic items in pixel-perfect detail.

The best flight sticks for Microsoft Flight Simulator
By Ben Wilson Last updated
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.

GTA 6 launches first in New Zealand, but changing your Xbox's region is still easy
By Ben Wilson Published
Xbox GTA 6 will start its rolling midnight launch in New Zealand, and willing Xbox players could potentially jump the queue by switching their console's region.

Switzerland is the latest European country to try ditching Microsoft 365
By Ben Wilson Published
Microsoft 365 Switzerland is trialing alternatives to Microsoft 365, shifting 3,000 government workstations to test other apps amid sovereignty and data protection concerns.

HP made one of my favorite PCs and had to abandon it. Could we ever see it return?
By Ben Wilson Published
All-in-One PCs HP's Envy Move was a clever all-in-one PC with a portable twist thanks to a genius built-in battery, but it didn't last long. I'd love to see it return one day.

I test Windows laptops for a living, and these are the 7 features I can't pass up
By Ben Wilson Published
Laptops I've tested enough laptops to know which features matter the most to me, and it's easy to defend my list of non-negotiables. Here's what I look for.

Windows XP released to manufacturing 25 years ago, before a huge launch
By Ben Wilson Published
Windows Windows XP hit RTM 25 years ago, prepping the launch of Microsoft's most iconic OS, which became a bestseller with a lasting cultural impact.

Xbox's green Series X25 might launch for $100 above its counterpart
By Ben Wilson Published
Xbox Rumors hint that Xbox's translucent green Series X25 console will launch on November 27 for $100 more than its standard, disc-based counterpart.

This not-LEGO OG Xbox has nostalgic dioramas inside — for over $300
By Ben Wilson Published
Xbox A $329.99 buildable OG Xbox hides dioramas of Halo, Psychonauts, and Morrowind with controller‑activated lights, but that's a steep price for nostalgia.

Best gaming keyboards 2026
By Ben Wilson Last updated
Keyboards Windows Central tests and reviews the latest and greatest gaming keyboards to help you make the best possible decision for your gaming setup.

NVIDIA GeForce NOW brings 1440p @ 120 FPS cloud gaming to Firefox
By Ben Wilson Published
NVIDIA GeForce NOW adds official Firefox support, with up to 1440p/120 FPS cloud gaming available to anyone who subscribes to NVIDIA's paid tiers.

Everything you need to head back to school with a new Dell PC is here
By Ben Wilson Published
Deals Back‑to‑school Dell deals are offering the bargain new XPS 13 laptop, along with essential accessories, and standout value for students.

The Witcher 3 leaves Xbox Game Pass this month, as mostly indie wave enters
By Ben Wilson Published
Xbox The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt Remastered Edition leaves Game Pass on August 31 after only joining in February, while indie titles arrive.

Files v4.2.7 is one step ahead of Microsoft's context menu plans
By Ben Wilson Published
Software Files v4.2.7 speeds up Windows 11's sluggish context menu and improves memory use, ahead of Microsoft's own planned File Explorer optimizations.

Some of our favorite 4K monitors are the perfect back-to-school upgrade
By Ben Wilson Published
Deals Some of our favorite Dell and Alienware monitors with 4K and QD‑OLED panels are a no-brainer upgrade for heading back to school as a new semester begins.

Cooler Master's new heatsink looks like a V8 engine for CPUs — and it's a monster
By Ben Wilson Published
Review Cooler Master's V8 ACE 3DHP CPU air cooler includes extra heatpipes within an incredibly dense heatsink, and it comes at a cost that just might be worth it.

NVIDIA's CEO said "Moore's law is dead": Will we ever see affordable GPUs again?
By Ben Wilson Published
QOTD Prices climb as Moore's Law seemingly dies, and AI demand rises, all while NVIDIA dominates. PC builders are left wondering if affordable GPUs will ever return.

Dell offers students real Windows laptop options for less than $600
By Ben Wilson Published
Deals Dell's recently discounted laptops offer affordable Windows performance under $1,000, giving students lightweight, modern options and back‑to‑school value.

The best Windows laptops for video conferencing and Zoom meetings in 2026
By Cale Hunt, Ben Wilson Last updated
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.

Valve's partner "CEVA Logistics" leaks customer data in recent cyberattack
By Ben Wilson Published
PC Gaming Valve warns EU customers after a cyberattack on its CEVA Logistics partner leaks shipping data, urging caution against potential fake messages and scams.

I tested this compact PC case, and I'm convinced — it's time to build my own dual-booting Steam Machine
By Ben Wilson Published
Not yet ratedHands-on Cooler Master surprises me with a compact, airflow‑centric PC case that suits a portable gaming rig more than perhaps anything else — and it's a bargain at $55.

I've always avoided OLED gaming monitors, but ASUS is convincing me to switch
By Ben Wilson Published
Review OLED finally wins me over, as the ASUS ROG Strix XG32UQWMS delivers amazing contrast with a glossy 4K panel and intelligent screen-protection features.

I never thought I'd call a Razer keyboard a bargain, but the Huntsman V3 Pro is a steal right now
By Ben Wilson Published
Deal Razer's discounted Huntsman V3 Pro is built for gaming performance but offers a superb typing feel, making it a standout bargain for student gamers.
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