The PC tech apocalypse may be nigh. But I’m still grateful

Welp. A darkish time for tech lovers is certainly inbound. As reported by my colleague Mark Hachman, it’s not simply that Black Friday 2025 could be the last chance for us to get low-cost PC offers.

Nope, the market is chaotic general, as analyst Jon Peddie notes. GPU shipments have slowed. Prominent pre-built PC vendor CyberPower has confirmed it will raise prices after Black Friday. Laptop maker Framework delisted standalone RAM modules from its retailer, to stop scalping. Retailer Central Computer removed prices from reminiscence kits on the market, citing quickly altering prices.

As my colleague Mike Crider quipped, we now have to purchase PC reminiscence like we order lobster at a restaurant—and I solely wrote about anticipating a tech availability apocalypse every week in the past. Normally the time round one of many largest U.S. holidays is quiet, however not this yr.

Still, on theme with Thanksgiving, I’m feeling fairly grateful.

I really feel very fortunate that we’ve had a lot innovation in {hardware}, for starters. For many individuals, PCs and PC elements launched within the final 8 to 10 years will maintain up a bit longer—even for individuals who are lovers. (You’re more likely to have purchased extra not too long ago!)

A decade in the past, I might have felt extra pressured to advise of us to improve now. A 2005 to 2007 period laptop computer simply didn’t have the identical legs. Same for CPU/GPU combos relationship even to 2010 or 2009. The introduction of Ryzen made a huge effect on efficiency. Competition from Radeon and Intel has given avid gamers wider selection, too.

I’m additionally glad that now we have thrilling new releases to stay up for. With extra to be revealed about FSR Redstone in early December, and the approaching of the brand new Steam Machine in early 2026, we might see sudden (if not enormous) ripple results from these releases. That delays my fears only a bit longer about stagnation as a facet impact of those wild occasions.

And in fact, I’m grateful that no matter comes, I’ll have glorious firm as we climate the storm collectively. Not solely do I work alongside extremely sharp and considerate colleagues, I’ve the pleasure of commonly listening to sensible takes from readers and Full Nerd followers. I study from you all on a regular basis.

I hope every one among you studying this had an exquisite Thanksgiving—and should you’re not within the U.S., every week full of fine meals and comfy gatherings. I admire you all a lot.

In this episode of The Full Nerd

In this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Brad Chacos, Alaina Yee, and Will Smith chat about Adam & Willis’s current journey to Intel’s efficiency testing lab, Black Friday offers and shopping for recommendation for PC components, and the way generative AI has seeped into recreation growth.

I discovered Intel’s benchmarking can stretch so long as 9 complete months earlier than a chip launch. Adam discovered that Will and I’ve robust emotions about using AI in recreation growth. Brad discovered that he couldn’t make a stealthy exit.

And Will discovered he’s very quotable, as identified by our buddy Steve Burke of Gamers Nexus. Steve, who stunned us with an look in our stream chat this week, undoubtedly has a profitable thought about making a “Like heroin? –Will Smith” TFN shirt.

Willis Lai / Foundry

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And should you want extra {hardware} speak throughout the remainder of the week, come be part of our Discord community—it’s stuffed with cool, laid-back nerds. 

This week’s mild nerd information

With the quick week, information is scarce on the bottom—at the least, exterior the apocalyptic doom selection. (By the way in which, these reminiscence shortages might presumably have an effect on smartphones, too.) Also I’m fairly certain at the least a stable half of you continue to are in a meals coma proper now.

So accordingly, I’m conserving issues straightforward. A couple of issues to amuse. A couple of offers that, should you can catch them, I believe are genuinely nice buys for us within the tech trenches. Oh and a hyperlink to our offers reside weblog. (Yes, after a few years of requests, I’ll lastly be reside running a blog offers this yr.)

Willis Lai / Foundry

• I bought Microsoft’s Windows XP Crocs, and I have opinions: This is the sandal assessment I by no means thought I’d write. Least of all for a tech web site.
• Microsoft just made classic Zork games open-source: If you want taking part in with supply code, now you possibly can poke across the guts of those venerable titles.
• Yay, I CAN have the Steam Machine Companion Cube of my dreams: Nothing’s set in stone in fact, however seems like I can have another person remodel a Steam Machine right into a Companion Cube for me, and Will can get his e-ink show.
• Don’t get scammed about Amazon Prime refunds: The refunds are actual, however just for Prime members who meet particular standards—and so they’ll solely come from Amazon.
• A visual history of Microsoft Windows: In honor of the 40th anniversary (yeesh, what’s time), our colleagues at PCWelt pieced collectively this retrospective. Gosh, I really feel previous.

Deals offers offers

Ubiquiti

All of the PCWorld employees has been busy this week discovering superior Black Friday offers on laptops, Chromebooks, Thunderbolt docks, SSDs, and so way more—should you’d wish to see our picks, take a look at our full Best Black Friday deals protection.

• PCWorld Black Friday deals live blog: Much offers. Very financial savings.

• MSI Shadow RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, $369: This deal has come out and in this week, so there’s no assure it’ll be again whenever you learn this. But it’s value checking!

• Ubiquiti Dream Router 7, $229: This is the router I’d purchase to interchange my current setup, if it have been to die proper now. Such an amazing candy spot between a easy, straightforward interface and superior settings.

• Seagate 24TB Desktop External HDD, $240: At $10 per TB, it is a incredible deal. Also, I did a quick peek round for all you information hoarders. Yes, this appears easily shuckable. No, it’s not clear if the drive inside is a true Barracuda or rebadged Exos.

Catch you all subsequent week, once I’ll nonetheless be nursing my meals child. Also, remembering in a panic that our annual Predictions present is coming. I’m unsure of what number of push-ups await me. 

(Cue dramatic music.)

~Alaina

This publication is devoted to the reminiscence of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and government editor of {hardware} at PCWorld.