Welcome to The Full Nerd e-newsletter—your weekly dose of {hardware} speak from the fans at PCWorld. Missed the most recent matters on our YouTube show or burning information from throughout the net? You’re in the appropriate place.
For this version, I’m tag-teaming with Brad—the intro is all me, whereas Brad is recapping the episode and dropping his favourite hyperlinks so that you can share. Hope you benefit from the collab! ~Alaina
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Is Windows 10’s death this week vital? I believe so. But I may be a minority.
For many people, the hullabaloo this week about Windows 10’s demise feels overblown—in any case, as Brad identified a few weeks in the past, Microsoft is providing different ways to extend security updates. The {hardware} apocalypse all of us anticipated received’t occur for one more 12 months.
I nonetheless consider it issues for a few causes.
Security on Windows 10 will nonetheless be a difficulty, for starters. Even with the flexibility to increase updates, the method is completed via Windows Update (?!), somewhat than a extra seen a part of the working system. Or as an alternative of logging into your Microsoft account—the very factor Microsoft is making an attempt to implement as the strategy to log right into a Windows machine, so such a tie-in could be sensible and seamless.
I anticipate some customers received’t trouble with extending their safety updates. Or they’ll give up partway via the method after turning into confused. (I virtually did, to be trustworthy.)
But although I’m cautious total about Microsoft’s hot-cold method to Windows 10’s lifespan, this gloominess is offset by the rising curiosity round alternative operating systems. I for one am very considering how vibe of those smaller communities (and the curiosity in protecting older {hardware} alive) may shift.
I’ve complained about a sure sort of Linux user earlier than. I did so freely then and I stand by that opinion now. But I additionally acknowledge that our crew has seen so many chill, cool individuals pop as much as say they too are on the identical journey as Will and Adam—that Dual Boot Diaries isn’t simply chronicling a beginner’s journey, it’s their journey as nicely.
IDG
We’ve additionally had seasoned Linux veterans be a part of our Discord server who collaborate in discussions and assist people greatest optimize for his or her use case—and we’ve got an ever-growing group of recent Discord members coming from this slice of the Linux userbase. It’s wonderful to be a part of.
I’ve fretted in earlier weeks concerning the future for fanatic {hardware} and DIY PC constructing total. (Hasn’t helped that the most recent information features a new proposal for an extra 100% tariff price on Chinese items.) But I’m additionally conscious that for many individuals, a desktop PC is only a strategy to get on-line—and also you don’t want new {hardware} to get that finished. Put a light-weight working system on an older machine (like ChromeOS Flex or Linux), and it’s easy crusing.
I’ve truly loved the thought of going again to older {hardware} to offer them new life. In some methods, that matches the spirit of The Full Nerd simply as a lot as being hyped for the 5090’s successor. How are you able to do as a lot doable with what you’ve received?
Also, it simply appears enjoyable to whip out an previous MacBook Air after which watch others get confused about what’s on the display screen.
In this episode of The Full Nerd
Hey, it’s Brad tagging in! Windows 11 works fairly OK when you get it arrange proper, simply saying.
But in this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Will Smith, and Brad Chacos (that’s me!) dive deeper into all of the hot Panther Lake news, constructing faux-Lego system-on-chip replicas and battling gremlins in our new streaming rig all of the whereas. The gang will get extra sizzling and bothered speaking concerning the expertise underpinning Intel’s new chips (just like the long-awaited Intel 18A course of, progressive bottom energy supply system, and Foveros chip-stacking) than the considerably murky concept of the chips themselves. This was a tech tour announcement, in any case — not a agency reveal of ultimate {hardware}. And the tech is trying good.
Speaking of fine trying new tech, we additionally focus on the latest developments in Product Amethyst, AMD and Sony’s collaboration to speed up the subsequent era of gaming graphics. PlayStation architect Mark Cerny and Radeon chief Jack Huynh sat down to debate the brand new Radiance Cores, Neural Arrays, and Universal Compression expertise coming to future PlayStation consoles — and sure Radeon graphics playing cards. There’s rather a lot right here that portends massive modifications to AMD’s PC {hardware} in coming years, and the gang unpacks all of it. (Did I point out that two of us are graphics card reviewers and Will makes video video games?)
Willis Lai / Foundry
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This week’s nerd information
This week wasn’t as jam-packed with delectable {hardware} information as final week, however there was nonetheless loads of scintillatingly geeky tidbits you don’t need to miss. Like sexting with robots! This place goes to hell when Alaina isn’t round, sorry.
- Copilot Actions will unleash autonomous AI agents on Windows 11. Sounds
terrifyingsuperior, nothing may go improper right here. It’s the keystone characteristic in Microsoft’s new AI-infused imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Windows 11… and not one of the newly introduced goodies require an NPU. If each Windows 11 PC is an AI PC, what does that mean for Copilot+?
Edifier
- It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… cute lil gaming PC? Sike! It’s a rad new Edifier speaker that seems to be like a cute lil gaming PC.
- Are we benchmarking graphics wrong? Gamers Nexus’s deep-dive into “animation error methodology” gave me rather a lot to consider. This challenge is turning into extra vital with the proliferation of upscaling instruments like DLSS, XeSS, and FSR.
- Apple’s M5 chip is here. You’ll discover it contained in the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro VR headset to start out.
- Windows 10 is gone. Well, kinda — you possibly can nonetheless decide into one other 12 months of safety updates with out an excessive amount of effort. You’re exasperating, Microsoft. If you’re sticking with Windows 10, here’s how to do it safely.
- I want I used to be taking part in Battlefield 6 as an alternative of working proper now. Alas. On the plus facet, “working” for me means “watching this awesome video Will did on BF6 smoothness.” Be positive to take a look at Hardware Unboxed’s delightfully thorough movies on BF6 GPU and CPU benchmarks as nicely!
Michael Crider/Foundry
- Asus nailed the ROG Xbox Ally’s hardware. Too dangerous that Windows itself continues to carry Steam Deck rivals again, regardless of the ROG Xbox Ally together with a brand new “Xbox Fullscreen Experience” that ostensibly tries to easy off tough edges. Let the idea bake within the oven a bit longer earlier than you think about choosing one up.
- A NUC with high-end AMD Radeon chip inside?! Intel could have birthed NUCs and the mini PC craze, however that is positively Asus’ child now.
- Sam Altman says ChatGPT will sext with adults later this year. Cool. Cool cool cool. Once once more, sounds
terrifyingsuperior, nothing can go improper right here. For a vibe test, I requested ChatGPT Pro what to do if a liked one is caught in a dryer. We have a strict “no AI writing” coverage right here at PCWorld, however within the curiosity of accountable journalism, right here’s what it mentioned:
“If somebody is struck or trapped inside a dryer, it is a critical emergency — right here’s what to do instantly:
⚠️ 1. Call Emergency Services (911 or native emergency quantity)
- Report that somebody is trapped in or struck by a dryer.
- Give the dispatcher your precise location and describe the scenario clearly.
- Stay on the telephone and observe their directions.
⚡ 2. Turn Off the Power
- Unplug the dryer or shut off the circuit breaker instantly.
- Do not attempt to pull them out whereas the machine is operating or powered — electrical or mechanical components may trigger extra hurt.
🔥 3. If They Are Stuck
- Do not attempt to power them out if they’re bodily trapped; you possibly can worsen accidents or trigger burns.
- Keep them calm and nonetheless.
- If protected, gently open the door to enhance air and visibility, however look forward to firefighters or paramedics who’ve correct instruments to free them safely.
💨 4. If They Are Injured
- Check for respiration and pulse.
- If unresponsive and never respiration, begin CPR in case you are skilled.
- Treat burns or bruises with cool (not chilly) water if the dryer was sizzling, however keep away from making use of ointments or lotions.
🚑 5. When Help Arrives
- Provide emergency responders with particulars — how lengthy the individual was in or close to the dryer, whether or not it was on, and what sort of accidents you noticed.
If this has simply occurred, cease studying and name 911 proper now — even in the event you assume the individual appears okay. Dryers could cause critical trauma, burns, or oxygen deprivation in seconds.”
Sorry to be a bummer, future StepGPTbros. Catch you all subsequent week—simply in time for the right vacation. Who doesn’t love shopping for sweet half-off after Halloween ends?
~Alaina & Brad
This e-newsletter is devoted to the reminiscence of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and govt editor of {hardware} at PCWorld.