Out of the darkness shines a new Surface, at least potentially glowing. Microsoft and NVIDIA hinted at a massive hardware announcement that promises to usher in a “new era of computing.”
After only one week a A massively disappointing Surface launchit looks like all Microsoft can do.
The laughs from Microsoft and NVIDIA, plus some leaks, strongly suggest that the N1X chip will be at the center of Computex and Microsoft Build. If the rumors are true, that chip will be a “20-core Arm + RTX GPU monster.”
The possibility of a new NVIDIA chip and a new Surface device grabbed our front page to end the week, but they’re far from the only big news. A really useful Windows 11 update started rolling out recently, and Intel has a new chip of its own.
Biggest Windows 11 News
Microsoft and NVIDIA spark N1X speculation with ‘new era of PC’ teaser
Microsoft and NVIDIA just teased massive hardware announcement. Will the rumored N1X chip usher in the “new era of PC” promised by both companies?
An optional update to Windows 11 includes the original performance gains
Windows 11 update KB5089573 As Microsoft’s non-security preview update for May, it’s generally available now and packs some really noticeable performance improvements.
HP is aware of a faulty BIOS update that is causing PCs to cycle
HP confirms this BIOS update crashes Windows 11 Computers trap users in recovery loops and block Secure Boot fixes.
You don’t need a new Surface to feel the untouchability of Windows 11
There is Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2 has been updated With Windows 11’s new system-level haptics support. The change allows older (and more affordable) Surface devices to use the same haptic feedback that ships with the latest Surface hardware.
Intel introduces new Arc G-Series chips designed specifically for gaming handhelds
Intel held its presentation new Arc G-Series CPUsand they are specifically designed for gaming handhelds.
I’ve been a vocal critic of Microsoft’s handling of the Surface brand, arguing that Microsoft is rebuilding Windows and the XBOX. When the surface collects dust. I still think the Surface has a long way to go, but a device powered by the N1X would go a long way.
Surface played a big role in pushing ARM64 computing forward by switching all of its consumer models to Snapdragon X processors. Having PCs with the N1X chip could do something similar for NVIDIA’s offering.
Over time, ARM-based chips may provide power gaming laptopsgaming handsets and other devices. Having NVIDIA and Microsoft locked in would be a huge win for Windows 11 and Surface.
Shopping with Sean
I’d love to have a new N1X-equipped laptop to recommend, but it looks like we’ll have to wait a while for that to happen. In the meantime, I recommend a Lenovo Slim 7x laptop with a different ARM64 processor. It has excellent battery life, a sleek design and is powered by the Snapdragon X2 Elite.
Lenovo
Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11)
The Snapdragon X2 Elite SoC pushes the Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) into “easy recommend” territory for those who don’t plan to play games or handle particularly heavy specialized workloads. Long battery life and excellent performance are notable advantages.
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