Latest hardware news and stories
Noctua and Asetek Confirm Flagship AIO Cooler Launch in Q2 2026
Noctua and Asetek have confirmed that their joint all-in-one liquid cooler has successfully completed production validation and is now targeted for a market launch in the second quarter of 2026. The cooler leverages Asetek's proven G8 V2 platform with enhanced sound and vibration damping, featuring Noctua's acoustically optimized NF-A12x25 and NF-A14x25 fans. The product is expected to debut at Computex in June 2026 and will include the Secufirm2+ mounting system for compatibility with existing Noctua components.
Reddit User Snags 64GB DDR5 Laptop RAM for $6.99 at Liquidation Store
A Reddit user named u/L0OK0UTT snagged a 64GB DDR5 laptop RAM kit for just $6.99 at a local liquidation store. The item, marked as an Amazon return and without a visible price tag, was sold at a flat rate after failing to register in the store’s system. This purchase represents a massive discount compared to the typical retail price of around $600. The incident highlights how liquidator shops can occasionally offer high-end components at bargain prices through inventory clearance processes.
A community member has successfully booted the Intel Core 9 273PQE processor, originally designed for Edge and industrial systems, on a standard Z790 motherboard by modifying the BIOS of an Asus Z790-AYW OC Wifi model. The system displayed a Power-On Self-Test screen before crashing with a black screen. Experts remain hopeful that further debugging can enable full operating system boot. This breakthrough could significantly enhance compatibility of Intel’s new Bartlett Lake architecture with existing hardware platforms.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra with Hasselblad Camera: Global Launch on April 21, 2026
Oppo has confirmed the global launch of the Find X9 Ultra on April 21, 2026, a flagship smartphone featuring a 200MP periscope telephoto camera and a main camera with a Sony LYT-901 sensor. The device will debut in China in March and soon arrive in Europe. Oppo also unveiled new accessories including GaN chargers and a power bank, along with the Find X9s Pro featuring dual 200MP cameras.
PlayStation 6: Prices Expected Between $699 and $1,000 Amid Supply Chain and Market Pressures
The upcoming PlayStation 6 is expected to retail between $699 and $1,000, with manufacturing costs estimated at around $760, driven by high memory prices due to AI-related supply shortages. Analysts predict premium pricing for next-gen consoles, including Microsoft’s Project Helix, while Sony may leverage new technologies to reduce costs. Despite potential price cuts, the competitive landscape makes a high-end launch increasingly likely.
Sony Raises Prices for PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, and Portal by Up to €100 Starting April 2026
Sony has officially announced price increases for all PlayStation 5 console models and the PlayStation Portal Remote Player, effective April 2, 2026. Prices will rise by up to €100, with the standard PS5 at €649.99, the Digital Edition at €599.99, and the PS5 Pro at €899.99. The PlayStation Portal will increase by €30 to €249.99. Sony cites ongoing global economic pressure and rising memory component costs, particularly DRAM shortages due to high demand from AI companies like OpenAI, as key reasons. This marks the second consecutive price adjustment following a hike in August 2025 and comes despite the upcoming PS6 release, disappointing consumer hopes for discounts.
Asus Expands ExpertBook Line with New B3 G1 and P5 G1 Models for Business Users
Asus has expanded its ExpertBook lineup with new B3 G1 and P5 G1 models in 14- and 16-inch sizes, featuring Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, vPro security, and AI capabilities via integrated NPUs. The devices offer high-quality displays with up to 400 nits brightness and 144 Hz refresh rates, along with expandable RAM up to 96 GB and storage up to 6 TB. These launches represent a strategic move by Asus into the professional computing market, targeting enterprise users with enhanced security and performance.
Dell 2-in-1 Laptops on Spring Sale: Save Up to 350 Euros on 14 Plus and 16 Plus Models
Dell is offering significant discounts on its 2-in-1 laptops during its Spring Sale, including the Dell 14 Plus and Dell 16 Plus. Savings of up to 350 euros are available, with the 14 Plus priced at 749 euros and the 16 Plus at 1,199 euros. Both models feature Intel Core Ultra processors, Windows 11, and are well-suited for students and creative professionals. The limited-time offer runs until April 2, 2026.
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Beta 'Resolute Raccoon' Released with GNOME 50 and Linux Kernel 7.0
Canonical has officially released the beta version of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed 'Resolute Raccoon', for public testing. Built on Linux Kernel 7.0, GNOME 50, and Mesa 26.0, the new release drops X11 support in favor of Wayland and introduces new system apps like Resources and Showtime. It also features enhanced graphics performance for AMD and Nvidia cards, improved parental controls, and direct access to ROCm and CUDA packages. The final LTS version is scheduled for April 23, 2026, with beta ISOs available for Desktop, Server, WSL, Cloud, and various flavors.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn – Closed Beta Launches April 2026, Full Release in Spring 2027
Owlcat Games has announced the closed beta for the sci-fi RPG The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, launching on April 22, 2026. Access is restricted to buyers of the Collector's Edition or Miller's Pack via the Owlcat Store, and the beta will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Set within the universe of the Pinkwater security firm, the full game is slated for a Spring 2027 release and will be available day-one on Game Pass Ultimate for Xbox and PC. The beta will focus on testing combat mechanics and zero-gravity movement.
Sony Raises Prices for PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro – Steam Machine Emerges as Affordable Alternative
Sony is set to significantly increase prices for the PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal due to a DRAM shortage and rising hardware costs. The PS5 Slim could rise to €649.99, the Digital Edition to €599.99, and the PS5 Pro to €899.99. Valve is seizing the opportunity to launch its Steam Machine as a competitively priced alternative, leveraging PC upscaling technologies.
Philips China has unveiled the new 32-inch Evnia 32M2N8900X gaming monitor featuring a 4th-generation QD-OLED panel from Samsung with 4K resolution, 240 Hz refresh rate, DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, and up to 1000 nits brightness in HDR mode. The monitor includes DisplayPort 2.1, USB-C with charging capability, KVM switch, and Ambiglow lighting, all controllable via the Evnia Precision Center software. While the design remains similar to its predecessor, technical upgrades include an anti-glare coating and a 0.03 ms response time. Pricing and availability for the German market remain unconfirmed.
AMD has unveiled the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition desktop processor with 192 MB of L3 cache, designed for high-demand computing tasks. The chip was released on April 22 and has been demonstrated running stably with DDR5-8800 CL32 on an Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Apex motherboard. Paired with MSI's MEG X870E UNIFY-X MAX motherboard, it represents a powerful platform for enthusiasts and high-end PC users.
AMD has unveiled the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition, a 16-core processor featuring 3D V-Cache on both chiplets for a total of 192MB of L3 cache. Launching on April 22, 2026, the CPU promises 5–10% higher performance in creative workloads and is designed for developers, professional users, and gamers alike. While pricing remains undisclosed, it is expected to excel in Linux environments for technical computing and code compilation tasks.
Forza Horizon 6, launching on May 19, 2026, for PC and consoles, features the largest open world in the series, set in Japan. System requirements range from a GTX 1650 for 1080p at 60 FPS to an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT for 4K with ray tracing. The game supports DLSS 4, FSR 4/3, XeSS 2.1, ray tracing, RTGI, 4K-HDR, and unlimited framerates. It also includes native support for Steam Deck and Xbox ROG Ally with cross-saves, significantly enhancing accessibility.
OpenAI Shuts Down Sora: End of AI Video Platform After Just Six Months
OpenAI has announced the discontinuation of its AI-powered video platform Sora, launched in December 2024 and released as a standalone app in September 2025. Despite an initial surge of over one million downloads within five days, Sora is being shut down due to high operational costs, declining user engagement, regulatory challenges, and a strategic shift toward more profitable ventures. Disney, which recently invested $1 billion in Sora, will retain its investment but will abandon joint projects. The app and web version will cease operations on April 26, 2026, with the API ending on September 24, 2026.
Epic Games Cuts Over 1,000 Jobs Amid Fortnite Slump and Major Restructuring
Epic Games has announced the layoff of over 1,000 employees to cut costs and ensure financial stability. The move follows declining revenues and user engagement for Fortnite, which has lost appeal since 2025 despite maintaining high player numbers. The company aims to save more than $500 million annually and will focus on core technologies such as the Unreal Engine and the Epic Games Store, while divesting units like Bandcamp. CEO Tim Sweeney emphasized that AI is not responsible for the layoffs.
AMD is expanding its RDNA 4m GPU architecture with the addition of new targets, GFX1171 and GFX1172, now integrated into the LLVM compiler. These GPUs, expected to power the upcoming Medusa Point APUs, share the same instruction set as GFX1170 and signal a strategic evolution for future AI and gaming workloads. With support for FSR 4, FP8/BF8, WMMA, and SWMMAC, the architecture marks a significant leap in integrated graphics performance and machine learning capabilities.
Lenovo is offering two premium laptops powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor: the IdeaPad Pro 5 16IAH10 and the Yoga Pro 9 16IAH10. Both feature 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, and 120 Hz OLED displays, with the Yoga Pro 9 additionally equipped with a 3.2k touchscreen supporting Adobe RGB and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card. The IdeaPad Pro 5 is available at Galaxus.de for €1,379, while the Yoga Pro 9 is priced at €2,293.76. Both models include cutting-edge technologies such as WiFi 7 and USB 4, making them ideal for demanding tasks like editing, streaming, rendering, and gaming.
Arm Shakes Up Chip Industry with First-Ever AGI CPU for AI Data Centers
Arm has launched its first silicon product, the AGI CPU, marking a strategic shift from IP licensing to direct chip manufacturing. Co-developed with Meta and based on the Neoverse-V3 architecture, the processor features up to 136 cores, 300W TDP, and supports PCIe Gen 6, CXL 3.0, and DDR5-8800. Targeting agentic AI workloads, it is backed by server partners including Lenovo, Supermicro, and ASRock Rack, with systems expected to be available by late 2026.