Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central and has been with the site since 2016. His expertise is in exclusive coverage about Windows, Surface, and hardware. He's also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices, and was fortunate enough to daily drive both the fabled Lumia McLaren and Microsoft Band 3, along the Surface Mini and even Surface Neo. Keep in touch with him on Twitter and Threads!
Latest articles by Zac Bowden

Dell XPS 13 hands-on impressions: The new best deal for $599?
By Zac Bowden published
Laptops Dell's new XPS 13 is the new best deal in laptops, surpassing the MacBook Neo with a better display, ports, build quality, and performance.

Project Solara is Microsoft's latest attempt at setting the narrative for the next era of computing
By Zac Bowden published
Artificial Intelligence After Windows Phone, Microsoft is eager to get ahead of the next paradigm shift in computing, and it's betting big on an agentic hardware and software future.

Microsoft's first Surface mini PC is official and it's coming this fall for developers
By Zac Bowden published
Surface Coming later this year, Microsoft is shipping its first Surface branded mini PC, aimed solely at developers looking to adopt NVIDIA's new RTX Spark platform.

I tried the Surface Laptop Ultra, and it might be the best laptop ever made
By Zac Bowden published
Surface I went hands-on with Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Ultra ahead of launch later this year, and I've been blown away by its design and, more importantly, performance.

Qualcomm on NVIDIA entering the PC market: "Welcome to the family"
By Zac Bowden published
Qualcomm Qualcomm SVP Kedar Kondap has shared his thoughts on NVIDIA entering the PC space, and he reckons it's good news for everybody.

NVIDIA says it has solved Windows on Arm's app compatibility issues
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 In an attempt to quell people's concerns around app compatibility with Windows on Arm, NVIDIA's CEO says that its new RTX Spark chips won't have any app compatibility problems.

Best laptops with number pads 2026
By Zac Bowden last updated
Laptops Looking for a new Windows laptop with a number pad? You've come to the right place. Using our expert reviews, we've rounded up the best laptops with a number pad you can buy right now.

Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon C low-end SoC for affordable Windows 11 devices
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Qualcomm has unveiled its new entry-level ARM-based SoC for Windows 11 devices that will begin shipping later this year on devices that cost as low as $300.

Windows 11's optional preview update for May is packing genuine performance gains
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Windows 11 update KB5089573 is now generally available as Microsoft's non-security preview update for May, and is packing genuinely notable performance improvements.

Ask Copilot expected to arrive on Windows 11's Taskbar this summer
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 First announced last year, a new document has confirmed that Microsoft's upcoming "Ask Copilot" feature for Windows 11's Taskbar is arriving mid-2026.

Microsoft confirms OneDrive integration is being removed from Samsung Galaxy phones later this year
By Zac Bowden published
Samsung Starting September 30, Samsung Galaxy users will no longer be able to backup their photos to OneDrive using the Gallery app.

How does pricing impact Microsoft's new Surface PCs?
By Zac Bowden published
Podcast On this episode of the Windows Central Podcast, Daniel and Zac discuss Microsoft's new Surface for Business announcements, and their pricing.

You need to try Windows 11's new Haptic Signals feature
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft has added a subtle new feature to Windows 11 that makes its UI respond with haptic feedback on compatible devices, and it's honestly great.

Microsoft brings back 8GB RAM option for new Surface Laptop amidst RAM crisis
By Zac Bowden published
Surface Microsoft's midrange Surface Laptop offering with 16GB RAM now starts at $1,499 for business customers, forcing the company to bring back an 8GB configuration to bring that price down.

Microsoft confirms new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X2 is coming this year
By Zac Bowden published
Surface Although not available today, the company has confirmed that customers will be able to buy its new Surface devices with Snapdragon X2 chips later this year.

Microsoft unveils next-gen Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with upgraded chips, displays, and haptics
By Zac Bowden published
Surface Microsoft is refreshing its Surface for Business portfolio today with new Intel chips, with consumer models expected in the coming months along with Snapdragon X2 variants over the summer.

Windows K2 status tracker: Progress on Microsoft's promises to fix Windows 11
By Zac Bowden last updated
Windows 11 Microsoft has promised to fix Windows 11's biggest flaws, but actions speak louder than words. So, let's track its progress.

Microsoft will let Windows 11 users remap the Copilot key as a "Right Ctrl" or "Context menu" key
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Windows 11's special Copilot Key has not been the popular hit that Microsoft was hoping it would be, and has now confirmed plans to let users remap the button back to its old functionality.

Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 leaks in new images: What's new?
By Zac Bowden published
Xbox A Brazilian regulator has leaked images of Microsoft's upcoming next-gen Xbox Elite Controller with three key new upgrades.

Windows 11's new Low Latency Profile feature will begin rolling out soon
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Windows 11's highly anticipated Low Latency Profile performance feature is now in the final round of testing, with rollout expected to begin within the next few weeks.

Microsoft patent reveals spring-loaded folding phone hinge
By Zac Bowden published
Surface The company had explored a next-gen folding phone design that included a spring-loaded button for popping open the device without prying it with your fingers.

Will Googlebooks KILL Windows? — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
By Zac Bowden last updated
LIVE Join Zac and Ben on May 14 at 12PM ET for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast.

Googlebooks are coming, but will they be a threat to Windows 11?
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft's constant blunders with Windows 11 have opened the market up to major competition, and now Google is capitalizing.
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