Latest hardware news and stories
Crimson Desert: After Intel Arc Support Backlash, Pearl Abyss Works on Fixes
The open-world action game Crimson Desert faced backlash for initially lacking support for Intel Arc graphics cards. Intel emphasized that it had offered years of hardware optimization, drivers, and technical support to developer Pearl Abyss. Following public criticism and a controversial FAQ recommending refunds, Pearl Abyss apologized and confirmed ongoing work to improve compatibility and performance. While the game now launches on Arc GPUs, issues such as missing textures and black screens remain unresolved.
Nintendo Plans Switch 2 with User-Replaceable Battery for Europe to Meet EU Repair Regulations
Nintendo is preparing a modified version of the Switch 2 for the European market featuring a user-replaceable battery and more repairable Joy-Con controllers to comply with the EU's 2027 repairability regulations. This change aims to improve device longevity and sustainability, while consoles in other regions will remain less repair-friendly. The move reflects growing pressure on electronics manufacturers to meet environmental and consumer rights standards.
Crimson Desert: Mixed Reviews, Rising Expectations, and Determined Improvements
Crimson Desert received a Metascore of 78 on Metacritic but faced criticism for inconsistent controls, weak storytelling, and lack of comfort features. Despite its impressive visuals and open world, the game drew mixed reactions, with over 40% negative Steam reviews and a disappointing IGN 6/10 rating. Developer Pearl Abyss responded with major patches, addressing player feedback on controls, storage, and combat. The game’s troubled development, including a toxic work environment and last-minute narrative changes, also contributed to financial and reputational setbacks.
Intel launched the new professional graphics cards Arc Pro B70 and B65 on March 25, 2026, built on the powerful Big Battlemage architecture and featuring 32 GB GDDR6 memory each. The B70 boasts 32 Xe2 cores and delivers 22.9 TFLOPS FP32 performance, while the B65, with 20 cores, achieves 12.3 TFLOPS. Designed for workstations, content creation, and local AI inference, both cards support PCIe 5.0 x16 and Multi Frame Generation. The B70 starts at $949.
Sony Plans Native Frame Generation from 2027 – ASUS Unveils New ROG Cetra Open Wireless Earbuds
Sony has confirmed the introduction of native frame generation for future PlayStation consoles, set to launch in 2027 in collaboration with AMD and based on FSR 4 with machine learning. The technology will boost frame rates using artificial intelligence and marks a strategic shift toward shared platform solutions. Meanwhile, ASUS unveiled the ROG Cetra Open Wireless Earbuds, wireless earbuds with open-ear technology designed for gamers, emphasizing comfort and high audio quality during extended use. Previously, Sony surprised players with automatic refunds for microtransactions in Highguard following the game’s server shutdown in March 2026.
UGREEN iDX6011 Pro Review: High-Performance NAS with Local AI for Home and Professional Users
UGREEN unveils the iDX6011 Pro, a high-end NAS that also functions as a compact workstation and private AI server. Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 64 GB RAM, and 96 TOPS of local AI performance, the device supports six hard drives and two SSDs, along with 10-Gbit Ethernet and Thunderbolt 4. While AI features showed limitations in testing, the system is priced at €2,599 and scheduled for release in May, targeting premium users.
Ubisoft Shuts Down Red Storm's Development Division: 105 Jobs Cut, Studio Becomes Support Team
Ubisoft has shut down the game development division of veteran studio Red Storm Entertainment, cutting approximately 105 jobs. Founded in 1996 and part of Ubisoft since 2000, Red Storm contributed to at least ten projects, including Rainbow Six Siege, Ghost Recon, and The Division. Moving forward, the studio will operate solely as a support unit for IT and the Snowdrop engine. The move is part of Ubisoft’s broader cost-cutting strategy to streamline operations and improve financial efficiency.
Citizen has unveiled a range of exclusive limited-edition timepieces that combine advanced Eco-Drive technology with artistic and technical innovations. The lineup includes two titanium watches with color-changing dials and the new E036 movement, a 50th-anniversary model featuring traditional Washi paper art and the precise A060 caliber, and two new Promaster diver watches with light-reactive, structured dials. Each model is produced in limited quantities worldwide, highlighting Citizen’s commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology.
Mozilla Firefox 149: New Design, Free VPN, and Enhanced Privacy Features Launching End of March
Mozilla is rolling out a comprehensive update with Firefox 149, introducing an integrated free VPN with 50 GB of monthly data, a new user interface called 'Kit', and multitasking features such as 'Split View' and 'Tab Notes'. Set to launch at the end of March, these updates aim to enhance privacy and user experience. The VPN protects only browser traffic and is initially limited to selected countries. The update also includes fixes for over 40 security vulnerabilities and an improved privacy panel.
After 25 Years: Valve Overhauls Reloading in Counter-Strike 2
Valve has fundamentally changed the decades-old reloading mechanic in Counter-Strike 2: players now lose their entire magazine when reloading, not just leftover ammunition. This major update forces new tactical decisions and has sparked intense debate in the community. Additional changes include updated ammunition displays and map guides to modernize the shooter experience.
Arctic Senza AI 370: New Under-Desk PC with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Passive Cooling
Arctic has unveiled the Senza AI 370, a fanless second-generation under-desk PC with passive cooling, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 featuring Zen 5 and RDNA 3.5. The device includes 32 GB of RAM, USB4, Wi-Fi 7, and a detachable I/O panel, though it lacks upgradability due to soldered components.
Crimson Desert: Graphics Issues and Performance Tests – Linux, Windows, and Mac Compared
The PC test of Crimson Desert reveals impressive graphics with high technical demands, but also numerous issues such as image noise and pop-in, especially with ray tracing enabled. Linux with Mesa 26 shows significant improvement in ray tracing tests with AMD graphics cards, while Windows 11 remains faster. The new MacBooks with M5 chips deliver a notable GPU performance boost. Frame generation technologies like DLSS and FSR increase frame rates but introduce latency and uneven frametimes.
AMD Preparing Ryzen 7 9750X and Ryzen 5 9650X with 120W TDP and Higher Clock Speeds
AMD is reportedly preparing two new Ryzen CPUs, the Ryzen 7 9750X and Ryzen 5 9650X, with a 120W TDP and higher clock speeds than previous models. Both processors are expected to feature eight and six cores respectively, with 32 MB of L3 cache, but without 3D V-Cache. The new chips are part of AMD's ongoing efforts to enhance high-end desktop computing performance, though the information remains unconfirmed by the company.
Microsoft Responds to Criticism: Windows 11 to Receive Major Improvements and AI Adjustments
Microsoft is responding to widespread criticism of Windows 11 with a major quality offensive by the end of 2026, including abandoning mandatory Microsoft account sign-ins, reducing AI integration, and introducing a movable taskbar. The company is also revising its Copilot strategy and halting automatic app installations due to user backlash. Meanwhile, Microsoft is considering legal action against OpenAI and Amazon over a cloud partnership that may violate an exclusivity agreement.
NVIDIA DLSS 5: Revolution or AI Slop? New Technology Sparks Controversial Reactions
NVIDIA unveiled DLSS 5 at GTC 2026, a new technology described as 3D-guided neural rendering that enables fully AI-driven image generation. The system uses 2D color data and motion vectors to create photorealistic lighting and materials in real time, set to launch in autumn 2026 on the new GeForce RTX 5000 graphics cards. While praised for its technical innovation, DLSS 5 has sparked intense criticism for altering developers' artistic vision and creating a uniform, often unexpected visual style.
Lenovo has unveiled the new ThinkPad P14s Gen 7 models with AMD and Intel options. The AMD model, based on the ThinkPad T14 Gen 7 design, features a 75-Wh battery and AMD's Ryzen AI 400 series with Radeon 890M GPU. The Intel model introduces fast LPCAMM2 memory and Intel Panther Lake CPUs for the first time, along with a dedicated Nvidia RTX Pro GPU. Both models are lightweight, repairable, and targeted at the workstation market, with the Intel version available from May 2026.
AMD Responds to Chuwi Scandal: Mislabeling of Ryzen Processors Sparks Legal Action
AMD has officially responded to a scandal in which manufacturer Chuwi marketed Ryzen 5 5500U processors as Ryzen 5 7430U, misleading consumers. The company emphasized it did not authorize or participate in the labeling or marketing of the affected products. AMD has announced potential legal action against those responsible, citing trademark violations and consumer deception. The incident highlights concerns over product authenticity and brand integrity in the tech industry.
Antec Flux Pro Noctua Edition: High-Performance PC Case with Ultra-Quiet Noctua Fans
The Antec Flux Pro Noctua Edition is a high-end Full-Tower PC case developed in collaboration with Noctua. It features six integrated flagship Noctua fans—four NF-A14x25 G2 and two NF-A12x25 G2—and includes a NA-FH1-PWM hub for simplified fan control. Designed for quiet and efficient cooling of high-performance systems, the case costs €399 and is said to operate up to 8 dB quieter than the standard model at the same component temperatures.
Anbernic Launches New Gaming Handhelds RG Vita and RG Vita Pro in PlayStation Vita Design
Anbernic has unveiled the new gaming handhelds RG Vita and RG Vita Pro in the design of the PlayStation Vita. The devices run on Android and feature improved specifications, including larger screens, higher resolutions, and modern features such as WiFi 6. The RG Vita is priced at $109.99, while the more powerful RG Vita Pro costs $149.99. Combining retro aesthetics with contemporary technology, the handhelds aim to appeal to fans of classic portable gaming.
Corsair has unveiled the Vanguard Air 99 Wireless, a compact wireless gaming keyboard featuring optical OPX switches, a slim profile, and an integrated LCD display. The keyboard offers a 99% layout, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, and six programmable Stream Deck keys for streaming functions. With a battery life of up to 55 hours and a sampling rate of up to 8,000 Hz, it targets professional gamers and streamers. While the keyboard delivers innovative technology, its layout feels unconventional and the keycaps are weaker due to the low-profile design.