<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central in Hardware ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:05:13 +0000 en <![CDATA[ "An unmatched upgrade opportunity": Intel's new Core Series 3 mobile CPUs target "value buyers" as PC prices rise ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/intel/intel-core-series-3-panther-lake-announcement mX775dkodA8BBdhV94vLm4 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:05:13 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:08:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ "There are over 5,700 combinations.": I attended Panasonic's USS Intrepid press conference and saw 10Gbps, Wi‑Fi 7 and on‑device AI in the new Toughbook 56, but should you swap out your Toughbook 55? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/new-panasonic-toughbook-56-announcement jka6KuJ4T9E5hgribnu8rR Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Another all-round excellent mini PC:" Beelink's discounted desktop is fantastic for intensive work and even some PC gaming ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/desktops/beelinks-discounted-desktop-is-fantastic-for-intensive-work baW9NgjQJzvH5MYH7qK6Yg Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:58:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft prepares display upgrades and two stage launch for new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with Intel and Snapdragon chips this year ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsoft-prepares-display-upgrades-and-two-stage-launch-for-new-surface-pro-and-surface-laptop-with-intel-and-snapdragon-chips-this-year goYT3nnvAHXsAwgzgoADq3 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:12:44 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:38:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ Someone discovered Seagate's Xbox Storage Expansion cards can be used on PC — which has made their value more meaningful with these discounts ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/someone-discovered-seagates-xbox-storage-expansion-cards-can-be-used-on-pc-which-has-made-their-value-more-meaningful-with-these-discounts gaABjSQTDdeo9kCqnqJnyM Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:35:49 +0000 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:24:07 +0000 <![CDATA[ ASUS Zenbook A16 vs. Zenbook S 16: Lots of similarities don't necessarily make for an easy choice, and it might come down to pricing and performance hardware ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/asus/asus-zenbook-a16-vs-zenbook-s-16 JQbtTnGB2xnc49xo8Z23Ek Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:53:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ "One of the better laptops I’ve encountered and one I’d happily use daily": This high-end ThinkPad is a solid bet for professionals — especially after this generous discount ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/this-high-end-thinkpad-is-a-solid-bet-for-professionals C66Q7fQJjgonyHaBMXMd4f Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:20:10 +0000 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:25:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ Surface Laptop prices are skyrocketing — this deal might be your last chance to own one without taking out a mortgage ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/surface-laptop-prices-are-skyrocketing-this-deal-might-be-your-last-chance-to-own-one-without-taking-out-a-mortgage Y8F4U7XGouinkyy3Sm6YuF Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:29:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ Surface Hub is dead: Microsoft pulls the plug on its 50-inch and 85-inch collaborative touch displays ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/surface-hub-is-dead-microsoft-pulls-the-plug-on-its-50-inch-and-85-inch-collaborative-touch-displays QZeVDaUMkvyvaTKvZRo6tb Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:07:00 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:53:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The new best way to land QD-OLED on a budget?": Alienware just unveiled a new gaming monitor promising high-end specs at one seriously low price ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/dell/alienware-aw2726dm-qd-oled-gaming-monitor-available S6JEnaTJvdczTbFCLxF7XM Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:58:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's crazy Surface price hikes are pushing me to Apple: I can no longer recommend Surface over a MacBook or iPad ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsofts-crazy-surface-price-hikes-are-pushing-me-to-apple-i-can-no-longer-recommend-surface-over-a-macbook-or-ipad R6BWC5W55ZLKJs4SBunik8 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:17:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ "It will reshape the PC landscape": A new rumor says NVIDIA is entering final negotiations to buy a large PC company — Dell and HP stocks jump in the wake, but I'm not so sure ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/nvidia/nvidia-rumor-pc-company-acquisition-dell-hp rHKhhHVFFgEtbRrVgdWnRQ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:04:14 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft reveals major price increases for all Surface PCs as RAM crisis continues: Flagships now $500 more expensive than at launch ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsoft-reveals-major-price-increases-for-all-surface-pro-laptop-pcs-as-ram-crisis-continues k6b8ZUeULQvYJzADSUPifJ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:42:39 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:31:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ "I'm impressed with the quality for the price": This Vivobook deal makes Snapdragon X one of the best budget buys for a Windows laptop right now ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/vivobook-makes-snapdragon-x-one-of-the-best-budget-buys 99AyzpnAM5KQHUGPZ4mDfC Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:32:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ "What else were Steam Deck users to do but create their own solutions?": I watched Valve's Linux-first handheld turn into a Windows 11 experiment in its community ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/steam-deck-windows-11-dual-boot-community g2hqwZYoqBqveWqxSGGntW Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "It still won’t be my dream Surface Pro": The missing piece Microsoft never built vanished — and it’s not coming back ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/the-missing-piece-microsoft-never-built-vanished-and-its-not-coming-back NHJGjMqy7HHEq4645hWb7A Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Snapdragon X2 laptops need a quick update to stop getting the wrong graphics drivers ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/snapdragon-x2-laptops-need-a-quick-update-to-stop-getting-the-wrong-graphics-drivers xFEK52uSQPdrDjn8EnmkTH Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:47:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Still one of my favorites”: This dependable 2‑in‑1 is discounted again while modern laptops remain scarce ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/still-one-of-my-favorites-this-dependable-2-in-1-is-discounted-again-while-modern-laptops-remain-scarce 7VzqQz9scxrx6szepF2yYb Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:07:00 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:08:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Dell is scrubbing its failed Premium brand from existence, but who cares when you can save almost $900 on an XPS 14? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/dell-is-scrubbing-its-failed-premium-brand-from-existence-but-who-cares-when-you-can-save-almost-usd900-on-an-xps-14 tKLqyuS76eF5QqFbrrpERn Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:55:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Raptor Lake will continue to be abundantly available": Intel exec makes a case for its older chips as RAM prices soar, but are they actually worth buying in 2026? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/intel/intel-raptor-lake-ddr4-cpu-benefits-pc-gaming 8ERRvxtuLXBGPeGGXZzsSX Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:51:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ "I hope NVIDIA's legal team lets this slide": I dive into OpenNOW, an open-source GeForce Now alternative that's trending in cloud gaming — for good reason ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/nvidia/opennow-geforce-now-app-alternative G6uA67yK4W4xtHyBUD5ChE Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:55:11 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:58:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ "An error was made": We asked ASUS why Zenbook prices are suddenly soaring, and we have bad news ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/asus/asus-zenbook-a16-post-launch-price-hike 3kGjiGX9SBMkwVaBTgVgbB Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:33:29 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:03:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I’m already sold”: Xbox’s new Forza Horizon 6 limited‑edition accessories are (almost) here — and they might be even cooler than I expected ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/im-already-sold-xboxs-new-forza-horizon-6-limited-edition-accessories-are-here-and-they-might-be-even-cooler-than-i-expected kPyryGedFiKVFiK8gvHHoQ Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:52:27 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:56:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ ASUS’ Zenbook A16 shows why Microsoft must rethink Copilot+ PC branding ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/zenbook-a16-a-warning-microsoft-needs-to-stop-obsessing-over-copilot-pc-for-surface 5VuEedojhZiFskMbKAEvdD Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:59:25 +0000 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:28:08 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The MacBook Air is no longer the best lightweight laptop": I compare the new ASUS Zenbook A16 to show how it dominates Apple's sleek notebook in key areas ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/asus/asus-zenbook-a16-2026-vs-macbook-air-15-m5 9QfXaFzjAke4yvdofjRXGG Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:11:59 +0000 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:24:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ I tested ASUS' Zenbook A16 with Qualcomm's incredible Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme CPU, and I'm convinced: This is everything a flagship Windows laptop should be ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/asus/asus-zenbook-a16-review RPkPj3hgsekTd9ayvT7PeP Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:17:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ A rare price drop hits the budget Xbox Ally, and it changes the value equation in a big way: A true Windows-based answer to the Steam Deck ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/the-more-affordable-xbox-ally-earns-a-rare-price-drop xhhFfXGUAPkMfRTvFM4Arc Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:10:32 +0000 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:58:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ “This pricing changes the conversation”: HP’s first Snapdragon X2 Elite laptop arrives for hundreds less — and I’m wondering if Intel should be worried ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/hp/hp-omnibook-ultra-14-g2-x2-elite-available-intel PfRPq9fL6pgfZiG5PUjcFC Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:18:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ One of HP's most powerful gaming laptops with a scarce RTX 5070, 165Hz display, and 16GB RAM — is suddenly way cheaper than it should be with $900 off ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/one-of-hps-most-powerful-gaming-laptops-with-a-scarce-rtx-5070-165hz-display-and-16gb-ram-is-suddenly-way-cheaper-than-it-should-be-with-usd900-off 7DcTUBXvvjLJqKdgiBe2ij Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:12:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ You don’t need a $1,500 laptop — Dell’s 14 Plus proves the smarter buy is the simple one ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/the-beige-cardigan-of-laptops-why-dells-14-plus-is-a-better-value-than-its-flashier-rivals SV6J223cbakTfDEBpQ5Tc7 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:59:08 +0000 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:46:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ US PC sales grew in 2025 as companies scrambled to ditch Windows 10, but 2026 could be a disaster in waiting ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/your-next-laptop-might-be-60-percent-more-expensive-shipments-decline pqrftW6Har5DxNhzaMkaHK Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:26:54 +0000 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:29:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ Our friends at TechRadar say that this is "the only gaming PC you need", and with its advanced specs and 23% discount, it's easy to see why ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/desktops/our-friends-at-techradar-say-that-this-is-the-only-gaming-pc-you-need-and-with-its-advanced-specs-and-23-percent-discount-its-easy-to-see-why HhWGSgmxwiQPt7HXbC7FW9 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:11:28 +0000 <![CDATA[ Our favorite mid-range gaming laptop with RTX 5060 graphics, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, and 32GB of RAM is now 22% off for Dell's Spring Sale ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/our-favorite-mid-range-gaming-laptop-with-rtx-5060-graphics-intel-core-ultra-9-275hx-processor-and-32gb-of-ram-is-now-22-percent-off-for-dells-spring-sale 98fb4NbQqw6TfGejjRxkhT Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:11:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ NVIDIA’s new Dynamic MFG feature could make games smoother… or just weirder. Either way, the real GPU battleground is shifting to software. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/nvidia/nvidia-dynamic-mfg-6x-ai-pc-gaming-opinion TY3ybL3Ft2RiWttHzrvtsR Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:57:42 +0000 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:19:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ The RAM pricing crisis continues to attack affordable computing with more (and significant) hikes on Raspberry Pi but there are "there are some brighter spots in the picture" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/the-ram-pricing-crisis-continues-to-attack-affordable-computing-with-more-and-significant-hikes-on-raspberry-pi-making-a-mini-pc-look-even-more-attractive MpmvAMj2F4rwTZwEMmy5wU Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:04:00 +0000 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:04:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ I finally found a 1TB NVMe SSD resistant to inflated storage costs — Kingston's NV3 is down to just $109 for one day only ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/kingston-nv3-1tb-ssd-world-backup-day-deal kJdbN8ybHXgMdfPCgUwR4H Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:08:34 +0000 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:02:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ The RAM Crisis is price-gouging storage units, but the "definitive" 1TB SSD for gaming handhelds is sideswiping them with this sweet 25% discount ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/the-ram-crisis-is-price-gouging-storage-units-but-the-definitive-1tb-ssd-for-gaming-handhelds-is-sideswiping-them-with-this-sweet-25-percent-discount cCBLLxtigjAq4YQsysXhn6 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:08:17 +0000 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:37:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ I didn't expect a "NAS" to change how I protect my Windows PC, until I tried one. Here's how it affected my backup habits. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/nas-changed-how-my-windows-pc-backup-habits HZBjiZjyjhF4xmQwpETfJo Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:48:26 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X's native SSDs are too tiny for storing games — fortunately, this amazing 1TB microSD with 245MB/s read speeds is now 41% off ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/xbox-ally-and-xbox-ally-xs-native-ssds-are-too-tiny-for-storing-games-fortunately-this-amazing-1tb-microsd-with-245mb-s-read-speeds-is-now-41-percent-off LmsMCXDLTJkJnwrVFDUVYJ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:11:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox Ally X just got a big Xbox app upgrade with a new display widget and smarter controls ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/xbox-ally-x-just-got-a-big-xbox-app-upgrade-with-a-new-display-widget-and-smarter-controls tTFmHFeKAGhftzCFc2mXbh Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:08:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Surface Pro X was ahead of its time — Now it’s time for a 2026 comeback ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/the-surface-pro-x-was-ahead-of-its-time-now-its-time-for-a-2026-comeback JHXAPyNkCiAeh3jUCnkoNo Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:52:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ AI’s hunger for DRAM threatens your next PC upgrade as Asia-Pacific shipments slump amid memory shortages in 2026 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/ai-hunger-for-dram-asia-pacific-shipments-slump-in-2026 6t6hF2rviWvUxWXm3MPBUG Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:10:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox games are getting tougher to fit onto a console, but these World Backup Day bargains for 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB Expansion Cards will solve that issue ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/xbox-games-world-backup-day-bargains-for-expansion-cards nYdbKJ9ddLWJAXPjdv4vy5 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:05:00 +0000 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:10:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ This Windows laptop may have a moderate battery life, but it burns bright with an OLED display, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/this-windows-laptop-may-have-a-moderate-battery-life-but-it-burns-bright pDi86mn2KmSD9pqV7TvRf3 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:55:40 +0000 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:03:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ "A computer should be yours" — Framework founder compares the MacBook Neo and its underlying philosophy to the most upgradeable Windows laptop on the market ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/framework-laptop-macbook-neo-teardown-comparison qeDKQD3sMxWmGwVm3V7ohY Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:16:45 +0000 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:27:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ UGREEN's new Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 dock is for power users craving extra M.2 storage — A huge launch discount makes it cheaper than the CalDigit TS5 Plus ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/ugreen-maxidok-17-in-1-u716-thunderbolt-5-docking-station-review AfFuNaDDC2kiLj68r9f72T Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows Wrap — 4 steps to save the Surface brand ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-wrap-4-steps-to-save-the-surface-brand FA5SLVX6LCERZrbcrBUCKZ Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:31:46 +0000 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:39:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ This RTX 5050 gaming laptop with an 18” FHD+ display, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD strikes a "happy medium between performance and price" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/this-rtx-5050-gaming-laptop-with-an-18-fhd-display-16gb-ram-and-1tb-ssd-strikes-a-happy-medium-between-performance-and-price vKQw86eVnBPpNAr68YdSP9 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:56:49 +0000 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:04:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ Geekom's ultimate Windows Mini-PC with upgradeable RAM and SSD is now 33% off — it also features quad 4K monitor support and an Intel i5-13600H CPU ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/geekoms-ultimate-windows-mini-pc-with-upgradeable-ram-and-ssd-is-now-33-percent-off-it-also-features-quad-4k-monitor-support-and-an-intel-i5-13600h-cpu nkQudUpJrQVkv7KGkkVd67 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:23:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ Sony raised PS5 prices in key regions and Xbox instantly became the cheaper console, creating one of the funniest value swings in years ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-slashed-prices-in-key-markets-right-after-sony-bumped-ps5-costs-creating-one-of-the-most-perfectly-timed-your-move-moments-in-recent-console-history JDZzaHTUAsDSb2DrytfDFi Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:48:45 +0000 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:00:44 +0000