Latest hardware news and stories
The pirate-themed co-op survival game Windrose, formerly known as Crosswind, launches in Early Access on Steam on April 14, 2026. Combining exploration, base-building, ship crafting, and a dynamic combat system in an open world with around 30 islands and over 100 dungeons, the game has gained immense popularity. Developed by Windrose Crew from Uzbekistan, it boasts over 1.5 million wishlist entries on Steam and promises 50 to 70 hours of gameplay. Following a highly positive reception of its demo, the developers are incorporating community feedback into ongoing updates.
Best Graphics Cards and CPUs for Anno 117: Pax Romana – Performance and Value Compared
A comprehensive comparison of current graphics cards and CPUs reveals that the Radeon RX 9070 XT and GeForce RTX 5060 deliver high frame rates in Anno 117: Pax Romana, while AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus are ideal for smooth gameplay. Although the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti offers the best FPS per euro, it is no longer recommended due to its limited VRAM. Instead, models with 16 GB VRAM such as the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are better long-term choices.
Tech Launches in April 2026: From Gaming Handhelds to Foldables – Apple, Xiaomi, OnePlus and More
In April 2026, several major tech launches are set to take place: Xiaomi unveils the Redmi K90 Max and Redmi K Pad 2, OnePlus reveals a gaming handheld and the Ace 6 Ultra, Oppo introduces the Find X9 Ultra, and Motorola launches the Razr Fold. Apple has increased MacBook Neo production to 10 million units due to high demand and is expected to introduce a new dark red color for the iPhone 18 Pro. Meanwhile, Huawei's Pura X Max is emerging as a key inspiration for Apple’s upcoming foldable phone.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x with Snapdragon X2 Plus and 120Hz Display Launched – Priced Below MacBook Neo
Lenovo has launched the new IdeaPad Slim 5x 13Q8Y11 in Europe, a compact 13.3-inch notebook featuring a 120Hz display, up to 32GB RAM, and the powerful Snapdragon X2 Plus processor. The device includes a 54.7Wh battery with 65W fast charging and is priced from €1,249. Meanwhile, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 with Ryzen 5 7535HS, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD is currently available at Computeruniverse for €589, undercutting the Apple MacBook Neo.
Intel Advances AI and Gaming Technology with Partnerships, New Compression Tech, and Quad-GPU System
Intel has announced a strategic partnership with Google to advance AI infrastructure by combining Xeon CPUs with Google’s custom IPUs. The company also introduced Texture Set Neural Compression (TSNC) to reduce memory demands in modern games and compete with Nvidia’s neural texture compression efforts. Additionally, Intel unveiled the Arc Pro B70 in a quad-GPU configuration called Battlematrix, consuming up to 720 watts, though AI inference scaling is non-linear due to PCIe-based communication.
Geekbench 6.7 Adds Intel iBOT Detection – Core Ultra X9 378H Officially Listed
Geekbench 6.7 introduces detection for Intel iBOT to accurately assess performance of Core Ultra 200 Plus processors, as iBOT boosts results through specialized code optimizations. Meanwhile, Intel has officially listed the Core Ultra X9 378H in its ARK database—a mobile Panther Lake chip with 16 cores and Intel 18A lithography—primarily for refined product segmentation.
Asustor Lockerstor 24R Pro Gen2: High-Performance NAS with 24 Bays and AMD Ryzen 7 Pro
Asustor introduces the Lockerstor 24R Pro Gen2, a 4HE rackmount NAS with 24 drive bays and a maximum storage capacity of 768 TB. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7745, up to 192 GB of RAM, dual 10-gigabit network ports, and redundant power supplies, it supports advanced features like RAID 50/60, iSCSI, and Docker, making it ideal for professional data centers.
NVIDIA is reportedly planning the launch of the GeForce RTX 6090, 6080, and 6070 in 2027, based on the Rubin architecture with 3-nm manufacturing and GDDR7 memory. Meanwhile, Intel is unveiling a new Core Ultra 400 series based on Nova Lake, featuring up to 52 cores and bLLC cache for desktop CPUs. Both companies are investing in cutting-edge technologies to boost performance in gaming, AI, and everyday computing. These announcements signal a fierce competition between the two tech giants in the coming decade.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition: Most Expensive Ryzen Ever Unveiled with 128 MiB 3D V-Cache
AMD has officially announced the price of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition at $899 in the US and €999 in Germany. The processor, featuring 16 cores and 192 MB of L3 cache, is the first dual-processor with AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology and is set for release in April 2026. Pre-launch listings in retailers show availability dates and placeholder pricing, confirming the product's imminent arrival.
AMD has launched the Radeon RX 9060 XT in 8 GB and 16 GB variants, with the 8 GB model serving as a price anchor amid rising DRAM costs and market pressures. At the same time, AMD released Lemonade 10.2, an embeddable open-source local AI server enabling developers to integrate large language models into applications across AMD GPUs, NPUs, and CPUs. The update features improved model downloads and enhanced documentation for seamless integration. These moves reflect AMD’s dual strategy: cost-conscious hardware design and aggressive advancement in local AI capabilities.
DJI Osmo Pocket 4: New Vlogging Camera with 4K 240fps and Magnetic Light Unveiled
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is set to launch on April 16, featuring an improved 1-inch CMOS sensor, 4K recording at 240 fps, and a magnetic LED floodlight. This compact gimbal camera introduces new buttons, a smaller protective case, and expanded internal storage. Priced from $500, it aims to challenge high-end professional cameras from Sony and Canon. The device will be released in China in early April and in the US by the end of April 2024.
Apple Announces 100 Million iPods Sold – Intel Unveils First Celeron in 1998
On April 9, 2007, Apple announced that 100 million iPods had been sold worldwide since the launch of the first model in 2001. The portable music player became a global phenomenon and significantly influenced the design and usability of MP3 players. In a separate milestone, Intel introduced the first Celeron processor on April 15, 1998, as an affordable alternative to the Pentium II, which later evolved into a high-performance, low-cost computing solution.
AMD has unveiled the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, a 16-core CPU with dual 3D V-Cache and a total of 192 MB L3 cache, available starting April 22 for $899. The processor offers a 5 to 10 percent performance boost in creative workloads and is AMD's most expensive desktop CPU outside HEDT and server platforms. Meanwhile, a performance test of Pragmata on the Switch 2 reveals significant compromises compared to the PS5 version, particularly in frame rate and visual details like lighting and shadows, despite DLSS upscaling.
Intel Introduces 2L-ILM Socket for Improved Nova Lake CPU Cooling and Stability
Intel is introducing an optional improved mounting mechanism called 2L-ILM for its upcoming Nova Lake CPUs with Socket 1954. This two-lever design, similar to the one used on LGA2011 for HEDT systems, enhances IHS flatness and improves CPU-cooler contact. The change aims to boost thermal performance, increase cooling efficiency, and enhance overall system stability for high-end platforms.
Lenovo is offering two high-performance laptops at competitive prices: the IdeaPad Slim 5 15ARP10 with a 2.5k OLED display, Ryzen 7 7735HS, 32 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD for €899.01, and the ThinkPad E16 G3 with Ryzen 5 220, 32 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD for €999. Both models deliver strong performance for office, multimedia, and gaming use, with the IdeaPad featuring a powerful 165 Hz OLED screen with DCI-P3 color support, while the ThinkPad targets business users with a 16:10 IPS display and backlit keyboard.
AMD Ryzen Leads Gaming PC Market – ASUS Secures Future with 64 MB UEFI on AM5 Motherboards
The PCGH community currently favors AMD Ryzen processors for gaming, with Zen 3 and Zen 5 generation models leading the way. Meanwhile, ASUS enhances long-term compatibility of the AM5 platform by doubling UEFI flash memory to 64 MB. This move underscores the growing strategic importance of BIOS memory in a hardware ecosystem designed for longevity.
ASUS Unveils New Zenbook Lineup with AMD Ryzen and OLED Display – Now Available in the U.S.
ASUS has launched its new Zenbook-14 series with AMD Ryzen Gorgon Point processors and OLED displays worldwide, now available in the United States. The powerful and lightweight laptops feature a 1200p OLED screen, a 75Wh battery, and multiple ports. Available in Germany from €1,299 at Media Markt and Saturn, the models target mobile users seeking high performance and premium display quality in a slim design.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition: High-End CPU with Dual 3D V-Cache Launches at $899
AMD has unveiled the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition, a 16-core processor with 192MB of L3 cache, set to launch on April 22, 2026, priced at $899 in the US and approximately €849 in Germany. Featuring 3D V-Cache on both dies, it is AMD’s most expensive desktop CPU outside HEDT and server platforms, designed for AI and creative applications. The processor promises up to 10% higher performance in creative workloads and stands unmatched in its segment with its dual-cache architecture.
Two New Laptops on Offer: HP Office Model and Lenovo Gaming Laptop with Ryzen 7
HP and Lenovo have launched two new laptops: the HP 17-cp3284ng with Ryzen 7 7730U, 16 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD is priced at €579 and is ideal for office use. The Lenovo LOQ 15AHP10, featuring Ryzen 7 250, GeForce RTX 5060, and 1 TB SSD, is available for €1,026.41 and targets gamers and content creators. Both models come with 16 GB of RAM but differ significantly in screen size, graphics performance, and intended use.