<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central in Hardware ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware Thu, 07 May 2026 21:23:55 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Scared that Edge loads your passwords into memory in plaintext? A dedicated password manager keeps them inside an encrypted vault ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/windows-phone/scared-that-edge-loads-your-passwords-into-memory-in-plaintext-a-dedicated-password-manager-keeps-them-inside-an-encrypted-vault U2SUMihfiBfcjKdY3TsCTY Thu, 07 May 2026 21:23:55 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 21:31:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is "a solid device performance-wise and a step up from previous Galaxy Book Pro laptops" that deserves this discount ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/the-samsung-galaxy-book5-pro-360-is-a-solid-device-performance-wise-and-a-step-up-from-previous-galaxy-book-pro-laptops-that-deserves-this-discount eLvx6qQXguLjL6VswnNKxe Thu, 07 May 2026 21:06:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ Telegram on Windows Phone?! I'm digging my old Lumia out of storage to try this app ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/windows-phone/telegram-on-windows-phone-im-digging-my-old-lumia-out-of-storage-to-try-this-app a2p9CHwZ2pzUYd94yCaPVQ Thu, 07 May 2026 16:02:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ Razer's mechanical gaming keyboard offered "endless customization" — and now it comes with a discounted price tag ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/razers-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-offered-endless-customization 83sSmTTMVCJtLXkPPNcrBT Thu, 07 May 2026 14:25:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Stagnant, overpriced, underwhelming, and dead": Here's why Surface fans are turning on Microsoft's premier laptop brand ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/why-surface-fans-are-turning-on-microsofts-premier-hardware-brand 9NZpcH2crK9RC46jjz7zvA Thu, 07 May 2026 14:10:59 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 14:26:30 +0000 <![CDATA[ This compact 75% gaming keyboard is an "ultra-comfortable option" with a hot-swappable design — it's hard to beat ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/this-compact-75-percent-gaming-keyboard-is-an-ultra-comfortable-option mDLavbL3K6hZLvAkUuKi49 Wed, 06 May 2026 17:53:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ Our favorite Snapdragon X Elite laptop with "peak clamshell form factor", once again escapes the claws of RAM price hikes with this deal ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/our-favorite-snapdragon-x-elite-laptop-escapes-ram-price-hikes xYQEFgc4k6yPSE9yD3FhEH Wed, 06 May 2026 17:48:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Apple's laptop simply delivers a higher quality experience": LG's new $599 gram Book is turning heads, but how does it compare to the MacBook Neo? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/lg-gram-book-15-vs-macbook-neo 5bs3DGGiUefBpMixQ4BNXo Wed, 06 May 2026 10:20:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ “More handheld gains”: Xbox boosts performance for over two dozen titles on Xbox Ally with new default profiles ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/more-handheld-gains-xbox-boosts-performance-for-over-two-dozen-titles-on-xbox-ally FusEYBicQFquPbzTarG447 Tue, 05 May 2026 11:34:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ Valve says it's working on Steam Deck 2, but that probably doesn't mean what you think — Could it have an ARM-based future? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/valve-steam-deck-2-development-arm-possibilities nQ9wMyWCjKCDpwLZMFEdXV Mon, 04 May 2026 16:40:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ This ThinkPad fan built a TrackPoint you control with your feet and the reason might surprise you ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/thinkpad-trackpoint-custom-footrack-project bEo7rSJ5odcjwKMLWuUJBS Mon, 04 May 2026 16:25:40 +0000 Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Gaming compatibility on Snapdragon X has come such a long way”: What 200 tested games tell us about Surface Pro 11 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/gaming-compatibility-on-snapdragon-x-has-come-such-a-long-way-what-200-tested-games-tell-us-about-surface-pro-11 CvvVxyUitDz7GTzJdy5BF6 Mon, 04 May 2026 12:59:19 +0000 Mon, 04 May 2026 15:03:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ UPDATE: This 4TB SSD hits 7,000MB/s read speeds, perfect for PC gaming — I can't believe it's 57% CHEAPER than normal for a limited time at Amazon ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/wd-black-sn7100-ssd-deal SWFeVCWLedaK4aguUVknj6 Fri, 01 May 2026 15:53:28 +0000 Mon, 04 May 2026 13:12:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows Phone 8 is getting a second life thanks to 8Marketplace, patched Twitter app, and more ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/windows-phone/windows-phone-8-is-getting-a-second-life-thanks-to-8marketplace-patched-twitter-app-and-more WN3xkLSPSMb2AXCobxsQgi Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:53:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ "With our partners, we’ve been committed to continual updates": The Xbox Ally range picks up BIG enhancements to boost the TV experience — with AutoSR in tow ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/the-xbox-ally-range-picks-up-big-enhancements-to-boost-the-tv-experience-with-autosr UoivEtypUc9XreYvL5xyDa Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:04:35 +0000 <![CDATA[ Discord on Windows Phone 7 in 2026? This fan-made app is a surprising moment of revival for a long-forgotten platform ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/windows-phone/discord-on-windows-phone-7-in-2026 r2RwvTdzKjqeSZnP9B4fXB Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:10:38 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 08:15:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ "It's something we're working very hard on": Valve promises it's working on a Steam Deck restock after it sold out amid the RAM shortage, but the memory crisis isn't over ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/valve-promises-its-working-on-a-steam-deck-restock-after-it-sold-out-amid-the-ram-shortage gocnJKUAHEEVFPFzsojnKa Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:10:07 +0000 <![CDATA[ "First time in years I didn't uninstall a WP launcher after 10 minutes": METROV could be a hit if you loved the look of Windows Phone 8.1 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/windows-phone/metrov-windows-phone-launcher rRxdZguWE5fgWtAc8Q8L6S Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:13:07 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft needs to license its abandoned Surface hardware, starting with the Surface Studio — but with a twist ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsoft-needs-to-license-its-abandoned-surface-hardware zzthwemC6fjgW9SwvnsgJc Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:41:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ "A one-of-a-kind gaming laptop": How did ASUS fit an RTX 5090 inside a dual-screen PC? I tested the new ROG Zephyrus Duo to find out. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/asus/asus-rog-zephyrus-duo-2026-review CN4L2kyzxqicmpwLT3z8yj Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 16:33:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Filling demand where standard hard drives simply don't cut it": Seagate's Xbox Storage Expansion Card is discounted in all sizes ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/seagate-xbox-storage-expansion-card-is-discounted-in-all-sizes WRNvTegEfxQTSg5eg8VVRF Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:47:28 +0000 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:28:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ AMD's 7800X3D gaming CPU has its best sale in months: "True to its word, AMD has specifically targeted gamers with this affordable powerhouse" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/cpus/amds-7800x3d-gaming-cpu-has-its-best-sale-in-months eRiymCShKBvu4zBDMhav7b Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:18:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Crushes Intel in gaming with a cheaper cost": Our top AMD CPU for PC gaming has seen its value improved for a limited time ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/cpus/crushes-intel-in-gaming-with-a-cheaper-cost-our-top-amd-cpu-for-pc-gaming-has-seen-its-value-improved-for-a-limited-time VkWEmd8WbmUtUunPyvXMpN Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:57:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The premiere desktop CPU for gaming and creation": AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D drops to its lowest-ever $573.99 — while it lasts ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/cpus/amds-ryzen-9-9950x3d-drops-to-its-lowest-ever-while-it-lasts gTP2mvs48v277ed2NVNbBK Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:49:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Well-built, and performs flawlessly": These Xbox storage expansion cards are now a smarter buy than the officially licensed rival ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/these-xbox-storage-expansion-cards-are-now-a-smarter-buy-than-the-officially-licensed-rival j5vQPvd9vi37o3K5UwXDkn Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:56:47 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:02:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ Smart move as Valve’s new Steam Deck tools aim to boost handheld performance with developer tuning and user‑submitted framerate data ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/steam-deck-steamworks-new-data LBif84e5wiRYNWJu6BYW4N Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:05:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Significant negative impact": Global PC shipments actually grew in Q1 2026, but I'm not celebrating yet — here's why ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/pc-sales-q1-2026-not-celebrating-why sFByjjLePDhXgXatUZF5ia Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:42:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ Double the storage of the Xbox Ally with our favorite budget microSD card with 245MB/s Read Speeds, that's now on sale for 41% off ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/double-the-storage-of-the-xbox-ally-with-our-favorite-budget-microsd-card-with-245mb-s-read-speeds-thats-now-on-sale-for-41-percent-off 6HbYWNg4BDavW23QUGmSFM Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:41:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ This mad scientist pulled a Tony Stark and created RAM in a shed, with a box of scraps — and he's using the results to plan for bigger projects ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/this-mad-scientist-pulled-a-tony-stark-and-created-ram-in-a-shed-with-a-box-of-scraps-and-hes-using-the-results-to-plan-for-bigger-projects vaKsLE5aWBshkvosdvhJxe Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:35:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ "It's almost impossible to recommend the Surface Laptop 13": I compare it to the MacBook Neo after Microsoft's price hike ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/surface-laptop-13-vs-macbook-neo NU88piaUDCeoQZ5eCUGvkJ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:11:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Once again, Geekom has created a fantastic machine with the A6": this mini-PC with AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and 16GB RAM is a cut above the rest at this price ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/once-again-geekom-has-created-a-fantastic-machine-with-the-a6-this-mini-pc-with-amd-ryzen-7-cpu-and-16gb-ram-is-a-cut-above-the-rest-at-this-price DpRyQ5ukRS4JUZHU4SS2C7 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:12:11 +0000 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:41:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Big power, small package": One of Geekom's latest mini-PCs for stomping productivity with high-performance rates is now 21% off just for today ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/big-power-small-package-one-of-geekoms-latest-mini-pcs-for-stomping-productivity-with-high-performance-rates-is-now-21-percent-off-just-for-today a52ut8KuR9Wytv9dWQcFQh Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:52:53 +0000 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:42:10 +0000 <![CDATA[ Surface fans are now 3D‑printing the hardware Microsoft won’t build ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/surface-fans-are-now-3d-printing-the-hardware-microsoft-wont-build oGaDqnNjnhsKkFyo8CjnMX Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:13:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Blows every past Surface Pro away and competes with the best Windows laptops": Our favorite Snapdragon X Elite PC says 'No' to rising prices ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/our-favorite-snapdragon-x-elite-pc-says-no-to-rising-prices RfU8UUUVFUZbJWorExvWrD Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:17:01 +0000 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:39:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Project Helix will be available as a 1st party Xbox console": Microsoft pushes back on swirling third-party hardware rumors ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/project-helix-will-be-available-as-a-1st-party-xbox-console CxnLb8f95VM7Lq8fd4cbjb Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:36:52 +0000 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:39:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Asus ROG Xbox Ally is inexplicably getting cheaper while it's competitors hike prices — making it the best Steam Deck competitor right now ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/xbox-ally-deal-uk RQhSoX7YpW2PttWbFQZqH9 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:18:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Why can ThinkPads do this but Surface can’t?” — A perfect repair score exposes Microsoft’s hardware gap ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/why-can-thinkpads-do-this-but-surface-cant-a-perfect-repair-score-exposes-microsofts-hardware-gap bRjaLVDGKFiweFciT9hAC5 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:05:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ I tested 5 PC games on the ASUS Zenbook A16 with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme: Is Windows on ARM improving? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/asus/i-tested-5-pc-games-on-the-asus-zenbook-a16 djXpwtxVCgSeR9wRYyUKf9 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:06:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ “You’ll get good performance with the OmniBook X Flip” as HP’s AI‑focused 2‑in‑1 pairs long battery life with dependable speed for real‑world workloads ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/youll-get-good-performance-with-the-omnibook-x-flip PKWwtHBUzZ4Pgw6X2Y4NoA Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:41:19 +0000 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:06:03 +0000 <![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