Windows

To make the combination of Windows and ARM a success, a great CPU is only one part of the equation. Another is an optimized OS. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite will only be on the market in mid 2024 - and the reason for this launch months after the announcement might be that the laptops featuring this platform will launch with Windows 12.

Windows 12 could see a substantial system redesign in order to include a more AI-centric user experience. The start button could thus be replaced with Copilot AI, which is already available as a preview version in the latest Windows 11 update.

Yesterday, Cities: Skylines II arrived on Steam, but is also scheduled to hit consoles next year. Released 8 years after its predecessor, this title already amassed over 8,500 reviews, of which 48% are positive. Sadly, most complaints highlight technical issues such as low framerates even on high-end PCs.

Without an update for over a year, Sumatra PDF Reader returns in full force with two releases in two consecutive days. While version 3.5 launched with 64-bit ARM builds, dark visual themes, context menus to tabs, and more, version 3.5.1 only arrived as a fix for two bugs spotted in its predecessor.

According to Schenker, the XMG Pro 16 Studio is a "professional workstation for content creation". The specs fit: Core i9, an RTX 4070, Thunderbolt 4 and a 16:10 display (QHD+, 240 Hz). A vapor chamber supposedly ensures optimum heat dissipation and quiet cooling.

Released for Windows PCs in early March 2018, Warhammer: Vermintide 2 received multiple expansions ever since, the latest one issued this month. The base game is currently 80% off, so it can be acquired for US$5.99, while the Content, Starter, and Fatshark bundles drop by 69%, 70%, and 77%, respectively.

Lenovo's new ThinkPad P1 G6 is a very good mobile workstation with efficient GPUs as well as a bright IPS display. It also replaces the former multimedia flagship ThinkPad X1 Extreme, which is a questionable marketing decision.

Dell's Latitude 7340 not only scores with its reduced dimensions and a weight of just over 2.4 lbs during testing, but can stand up to its slightly larger 14-inch sibling, the Latitude 7440, in terms of performance and endurance.

Schenker's new Vision 14 offers a lot of the usual, but longer battery life is now possible thanks to optimizations. However, there are also drawbacks such as the lower maximum performance of the new Raptor-Lake processor and the slower card reader.

Released yesterday, Nvidia's latest GeForce Game Ready Driver package is labeled 545.84 and comes with DLSS 3 support in Warhammer: Vermintide 2 and NARAKA: BLADEPOINT. GeForce RTX 20 GPUs get RTX Video Super Resolution support while stable diffusion is now two times faster thanks to it.

The latest version of RTX VSR, NVIDIA's AI-powered pixel processing tool rated to crush artifacts in streamed content, has been released to Turing-based cards (the RTX 20-series included) as part of the OEM's latest crop of software upgrades. It also unleashes TensorRT-LLM for RTX, rated to boost performance on Windows-based large language models (LLMs) by up to 400%.

The NUC X15 LAPAC71H boasts a moderate price, however, it only features tech from 2022 (Alder Lake). Adding to this is a Thunderbolt 4 port, space for two SSDs and a FHD screen.

The AYANEO Flip is scheduled to launch before the end of the year, which is in less than two and a half months. In the meantime, AYANEO has confirmed initial specifications for its first clamshell gaming handheld, as well as a few images of a new design that it claims to have updated based on consumer feedback.

The XMG gaming laptop benefits from moderate noise emissions, comparatively low power consumption and still a high level of performance (Ryzen 7 7840HS, GeForce RTX 4050). Completing the setup are good runtimes and a moderate price range (from US$1,170).

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s G4 is available with both AMD and Intel CPUs. In terms of multicore performance and GPU power, the Intel model with Raptor Lake U is inferior - at least, the Intel ThinkPad has the single core performance as a strength.

Yesterday's GeForce Game Ready Driver package arrived carrying the 537.58 version number. This time, Nvidia focused on optimizations for three major titles. The names of these games are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (PC multiplayer open beta), Forza Motorsport, and Lords of the Fallen.

We reviewed Microsoft's latest Surface models Laptop Studio 2 as well as Laptop Go 3. While the Surface Laptop Studio 2 introduces some welcome changes, the Surface Laptop Go 3 did not really change all that much. However, both devices are just too expensive.

Lenovo's upcoming handheld PC, the Legion Go, is now available for pre-order starting at US$699.99. The handheld has an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU, 16 GB of RAM, up to a 1 TB SSD, and a 2560x1600 144 Hz display.

The fastest components are not always the best, as proven by the EliteBook 845 G10. With the smaller Zen4 Ryzen 7 7840U processor, the business notebook is even better because the fan almost always remains inactive in everyday use.

LG has entered the niche market of laptops with foldable displays. Joining the ranks of ASUS, HP and Lenovo, the LG Gram Fold is a 17-inch tablet by default that can be folded to use as a 12.3-inch laptop. Billed as catering to five use cases, the LG Gram Fold has a modern Intel Raptor Lake processor and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.

Launched the same day as Cyberpunk 2077 2.0, the Nvidia GeForce Game Ready Driver 537.42 carries multiple highlights, but the essential one is DLSS 3.5. The new software package for GeForce GPUs also comes with DLSS and Nvidia Reflex support for Party Animals, Warhaven, and Witchfire.

CheckMag Whale by Naver is like a breath of fresh air in the crowded Web browser market. The browser hails from Korea; it looks great, it has additional features that are actually useful, like screen recording in GIF format, and it is compatible with extensions found in the Chrome web store.

Lenovo's new budget ThinkPads E14 & E16 are available with improved optional screens, which left a good impression during our reviews. The keyboards on the other hand are worse compared to previous models.

Topic chassis: Lenovo has mostly used various types of plastic for ThinkPads. This saves money, but the ThinkPad X13 Yoga G4 shows that magnesium would be the better choice.

While the Hungarian ground vehicles and helicopters join the Italian tech trees, bluewater naval battles get rank VI ships, War Thunder's "Sons of Attila" update also comes with new military hardware for most nations in the game. The game receives multiple visual improvements, a new map, and more.

Lofree asserts that its latest product is "extremely thin" compared to the average "all aluminum" mechanical keyboard. Nevertheless, it still accommodates "highly acclaimed" Full POM switches from Kailh that are, moreover, hot-swappable and paired to custom keycap layouts. The Flow also integrates an "innovative" Gasket Mount system and can be used in wired or wireless modes.

Nvidia uncovered yesterday a new driver package, labeled 537.34. In addition to the usual minor tweaks and fixes, it comes with support for Lies of P and Mortal Kombat 1, as well as six new G-Sync Compatible gaming monitors alongside five GeForce Experience Optimal Settings presets for titles such as Starfield and Wayfinder.

Lenovo concentrates the Intel variety of the ThinkPad T14 2023 on the Raptor Lake U15 series. This leads to a better battery life and lower emissions, but the performance is not convincing.