Gaming is something we take seriously around here, so when I saw the Alienware 16X Aurora on sale for $1,499.99 at Dell.com (that’s a whopping $470 off!), I couldn’t help but run to the rooftops to shout it out. This stellar 24% discount on a stellar gaming laptop that normally goes for $1,969.99 is one you don’t want to skip. View this gaming laptop deal This gaming laptop is a beast of a machine, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with 24 cores for excellent performance that’ll cleanly handle all kinds of tasks. It’s paired with 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a spacious 1TB M.2 SSD with Windows 11 Home preloaded, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card with 8GB GDDR7 VRAM for gaming at smooth frame rates thanks to DLSS 4 features like multi-frame generation. Whether you’re gaming or watching Netflix or even just browsing Reddit, it’s going to look great on the 16X Aurora’s lovely 16-inch 2560×1600 (1600p) resolution at up to 500 nits of brightness. It’s perfect for gamers with its speedy 240Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync support for minimal screen tearing. Attach a high-res external monitor via the HDMI 2.1 or Thunderbolt 4 ports and you’ll be in heaven. Other niceties here include a fast USB-C 3.2 port, two fast USB-A 3.2 ports, a 1080p webcam that can do Windows Hello facial recognition, a gorgeous RGB full-sized keyboard, and a multi-touch Premium Precision touchpad. Expect about 3 hours of battery life with real-world usage, but that’s not a deal-breaker—it’s a high-performance machine, after all. When we reviewed the 16X Aurora, we gave it a glowing 4.5-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award. Our reviewer thought it was an excellent value at full price, so how much better is it now with this discount? Save $470 on the Alienware 16X Aurora while you can! If you miss it, though, check out our roundup of the best gaming laptops. The Alienware 16X Aurora is an incredible value for 24% offBuy now via Dell.com Read...

TL;DR: Grab a like-new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for $409.97 and get premium Apple performance, 16GB RAM, and fast SSD power without paying full retail. There’s a secret in the tech world: sometimes the smartest laptop upgrade isn’t the newest release — it’s the right specs at the right value. This like-new MacBook Pro (2020) with Touch Bar hits that sweet spot. It still feels modern, still performs like a pro machine, and still looks like something you’d be proud to pull out at a coffee shop or client meeting. Inside, you’re getting a 10th Gen Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, and a fast 512GB SSD. This translates to smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and enough power for real work — video editing, coding, design, marketing tools, or running a lot of browser tabs. The 13.3-inch Retina display is still one of Apple’s best features. Colors pop, text looks razor sharp, and True Tone helps reduce eye strain. The Magic Keyboard makes typing comfortable, and the Touch Bar + Touch ID combo keeps workflows fast and secure. You also get four Thunderbolt 3 ports — huge for external monitors, docks, fast drives, and charging flexibility. For anyone who wants premium Apple performance without paying brand-new prices, this near-mint MacBook Pro is on sale for $409.97 (MSRP $1,580) only through Feb. 22. Apple MacBook Pro (2020) 13? i5 2GHz Touchbar 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Logitech’s MX series of mice are a perennial power user favorite. The MX Master is the go-to, and very comfy. But if you prefer a vertical mouse, or you struggle with RSI or similar ailments, the MX Vertical is the one you want. Normally a hefty $120, today Amazon is selling it for $69.99. The MX Vertical has most of the same features as the MX Master, notably minus the super-fast scroll wheels. In their place you get a 57-degree tilt and super-soft plastic, along with a 4000 DPI sensor and dual wireless (Bluetooth and dongle) that can support multiple connections at once. The battery lasts for weeks and recharges via USB-C, and you can use Logitech’s Options software to customize bindings for the top button (DPI switch by default) and two thumb buttons. You can read the full review here. The only real downer is that despite being an ergonomic design, the MX Vertical doesn’t come in a left-hand version — you’ll need to step down to the less premium Lift design for that. Amazon says that this deal is “selling fast,” but there’s no indication of how long it’ll stick around. Get the Logitech MX Vertical mouse for $70View Deal Read...

Getting an ultrawide monitor is definitely a dream for many of us, but we have to admit that they can be quite expensive. So, when you spot them on deep discount—as I have today—you should take advantage and score the deal while you can. Right now, Amazon is selling Samsung’s 49-inch 1440p ultrawide for only $799.99, which is a monstrous $500 off its original price of $1,299.99. Opportunity is calling! The first thing that makes me put this monitor at the top of my wishlist is the fact that it features an OLED panel. That’s not always a given on ultraawide monitors, and especially not at this size. You’re looking at a stunning resolution of 5120×1440, which is basically two gorgeous 1440p displays side by side without an annoying bezel down the middle. But this one also has a speedy 144Hz refresh rate for extra-responsive visuals (if your PC is powerful enough to pump out frames that fast). All of this for well under $1,000? You’ve gotta be kidding! The Samsung Odyssey OLED G91SD further makes gaming more fun with its gentle-but-immersive 1800R curve that wraps around your eyes, plus a 0.03ms response time for twitchy goodness, plus compatibility with both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, plus VESA DisplayHDR 400 for the most vibrant colors on that OLED panel. This is a phenomenal deal, dropping the price down to the lowest it’s ever been. Seriously, it’s now cheaper than it was even on Prime Day or Black Friday last year. Get the Odyssey OLED G91SD for $799.99 and make like a bandit! Or check out some of the other best gaming monitors if you still want to look around at options. Get Samsung`s 49-inch 1440p OLED ultrawide for $500 offBuy now via Amazon Read...

Google has fixed 11 security vulnerabilities in the latest Chrome versions 145.0.7632.45/46 for Windows and macOS and 145.0.7632.45 for Linux. According to Google, none of these vulnerabilities are being actively exploited in the wild yet. Chrome 145 was actually scheduled for release last week. Google hasn’t given any reasons for the delay. Chrome usually updates automatically when a new version is available. You can manually trigger the update check via the menu item Help > About Google Chrome. Google will release Chrome 146 in early March. What’s new in Chrome 145? Chrome is now linked to Google Wallet, allowing the browser to automatically fill in forms with data from Google Wallet. On the browser’s What’s New tab after updating, Google highlights the productivity gains that can come from linking Chrome to Google Wallet, making it a lot faster to fill out addresses, payment methods, and other details when checking out. You can find the settings for this feature in Chrome under Settings > Autofill and passwords > Enhanced autofill. You need to be signed in to Chrome for “Enhanced autofill.” Security fixes in Chrome 145 In the Chrome Releases blog post, Srinivas Sista lists the 11 security vulnerabilities that were fixed in Chrome 145. These not only include vulnerabilities reported to Google by external researchers but all vulnerabilities (albeit with a one-day delay). Google is listed as the discoverer for 3 of the 11 security vulnerabilities. Two of those vulnerabilities are classified as high risk. However, neither the buffer overflow in the codecs component (CVE-2026-2314) nor the “inappropriate implementation” in the WebGPU module (CVE-2026-2315) are enough to explain the week-long delay in Google’s release of this new Chrome version. Google also classifies the use-after-free vulnerability in the CSS component (CVE-2026-2313) as high risk, which was previously reported in December. Meanwhile, Google classifies 6 other vulnerabilities as medium risk and 2 as low risk. The term “inappropriate implementation” appears several more times. Google has also released Chrome for Android 145.0.7632.45 and Chrome for iOS 145.0.7632.55. The Android version addresses the same vulnerabilities as the desktop versions. The Extended Stable Channel for Windows and macOS now includes Chromium version 144.0.7559.173. Further reading: Essential Chrome features you should be using Read...

Put a brand-new laptop or desktop PC in front of most people, and they’ll begin installing their favorite programs. Me? I check out its security setup. That’s not just making sure basics like antivirus is active. I also look at Windows and installed apps to make sure the whole computer is configured to cover my butt while I’m online. Sure, I’m still careful while on the web. But having safeties in place is smart, too. So here are the four things I always poke at—and you should, too. Antivirus software Foundry The very first thing I look over is the antivirus app settings on the new PC. In some instances, this may be Microsoft’s own built-in app, Windows Security. Other times, it’s independent antivirus software, usually a trial of one of the paid subscriptions we review for our best antivirus roundup. The main difference between the two are the interface and feature sets—Windows Security lives silently in the background, with notifications only popping up if something is amiss or needs attention. The interface is also very simple and doesn’t explain the different features in depth. Meanwhile, third-party software tends to bulk up its software plans with extra features (some extraneous, even), and more attractive, better explained user interfaces. You also tend to get more control over settings, too. Because new PCs often come with paid antivirus trials, I try immediately to settle on the best antivirus program for the person using the machine most. Don’t like a lot of nag screens or busy interfaces—or alternatively, don’t want to get stuck paying for AV continually? Windows Security is fine. I will however tweak the settings to turn on ransomware protection and the various app & browser protections, plus also verify that core isolation is already active. Prefer a specific set of features (like robust parental controls), more explanation for what’s happening with scans, or additional security tools (like a password manager and/or VPN) in one interface? A third-party AV option will be best, and with all the options available, there should be one that fits both the feature set and budget desired. Password manager Alaina Yee / Foundry The next thing I like to set up is a password manager. You can use the built-in password management in a browser like Edge or Chrome, but I recommend an independent service like Bitwarden or Dashlane (or even a local app like KeePassXC, if you’re willing to manage your own backups). Using the password manager in Edge or Chrome is typically tied to a Microsoft or Google account, respectively—so if the account is ever hacked or the password stolen, you run the risk of losing access to not just your email and files, but also all your passwords, too. Keeping those things separate helps prevent damage from being too harsh.  (That said, for folks who can’t manage too many accounts, then Microsoft, Google, or Apple’s password management is fine. They don’t have as many features as dedicated services, but the basics are in place.) I tend to prefer installing a desktop app whenever possible, for a bit of heightened security. A browser extension of course does make using passwords far simpler and faster, but it can be riskier, as they’re a bit more vulnerable to attack. But again, whatever helps you use unique, strong, and random passwords across different sites is best. Be mindful of what other extensions you install on your browser, apps you download, sites you visit, and links you click on, and you should be fine. For some services, you can log in via web interface, but that’s not as seamless as either a desktop app or browser extension. Biometric login Mark Hachman / Foundry Third, I enable biometric login for Windows when possible. On desktop PCs, this can be harder, since you’ll need to obtain your own Windows Hello–compatible webcam and/or fingerprint reader. But on a laptop, there’s a decent chance the built-in webcam will support Windows Hello face recognition. Unless you have concerns about your system falling into the hands of government officials (like if you travel to sensitive areas), a biometric login will generally be more secure than using a password or PIN to regularly unlock your PC. For example, someone can’t watch over your shoulder to see what you’re typing in while in a public area. It also can reduce the difficulty for login for less tech-savvy users. Save the password in a secure manner (you don’t want to forget it!), then use biometric login for simpler access. That’s much better than no password or a very weak password to secure the PC. Disk encryption Chris Hoffman / Foundry Finally, I verify a new computer’s encryption settings. This is a quick two-step process: First, I like to ensure encryption is enabled in Windows, especially if the machine is a laptop or even a mini-PC, as they’re easier to steal. If the data on the PC is encrypted, then that can’t be searched through easily (and no sensitive files are immediately at risk). The encryption key would be required to make use of the data. If you log into a Windows PC using a Microsoft account, it should automatically enable Disk Encryption. Windows Home users won’t be able to tweak the settings, while Windows Pro users can through BitLocker. However, I’ve found that the encryption isn’t always automatically activated, so it’s worth double-checking. Next, if disk encryption is active, I also check the Microsoft account (or have the PC’s owner check their account) to see if the encryption key is saved. You can do so by heading to https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey in a browser. Alternatively, if you’re a Pro user, you can just open BitLocker on your PC, where you back up your recovery key. This will give you more control where it’s stored—so you can save it to a different cloud account or on a local backup drive, etc. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Compact, high-quality aluminium casing Good system performance for office and multimedia Very fast SSD Modern connections including USB4 Moderate operating noise during normal use Cons Integrated graphics too weak for demanding games No dedicated NPU for local AI applications Our Verdict The Geekom A8 impresses with its high-quality workmanship and attractive design. The AMD Ryzen 7 delivers more than enough performance for everyday tasks and offers long-term reserves. Despite its compact design, the device has a wide range of connectivity options. Quiet, fast and reliable, it can replace a classic desktop PC for the office. The integrated graphics reach their hardware limits not only in gaming, but also in demanding local AI image generation, 4K video editing or 3D applications. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Geekom A8 Retailer Price $611.10 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Technical specs Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS (8 cores, 16 threads) Memory: Micron 16 GB DDR5-5600, expandable to 64 GB Hard drive: 1 TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4×4 SSD (Wodposit WPBSN4M8-1TGP) Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics 780M (integrated) Front ports: 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 × 3.5 mm audio Rear ports: 1 × USB 4 (Type-C), 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C), 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A), 1 × USB 2.0 (Type-A), 2 × HDMI 2.0, 1 × 2.5G LAN Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Operating system: Windows 11 Pro pre-installed Dimensions: 112.4 × 112.4 × 37 mm (W × D × H) Accessories: VESA mount, HDMI cable, external power supply The market for compact desktop solutions is developing rapidly. With the Geekom A8, we have a new device that claims to replace classic tower PCs in terms of office performance. Here we are testing the A8 in a configuration with an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS, 16 GB DDR5 RAM and a 1 TB SSD. Let’s find out if it can live up to that claim. In testing, the Geekom A8 proved to be an extremely versatile work computer for private use and the modern home office. Geekom A8: Design The chassis of the Geekom A8 is made of aluminum alloy. The silver surface looks elegant and is resistant to fingerprints. In direct comparison to the larger A9 Max models, the case appears significantly more compact – it measures just 112 x 112 x 37 millimeters (W × D × H). Christoph Hoffmann This makes the A8 flatter than competitors such as the Peladn WO4 or the Alliwava GH8. The rounded corners give the device a modern look reminiscent of Apple products. Despite its small size, the mini PC appears robust. The gaps are precisely crafted. The manufacturer’s logo is emblazoned on the top. The side panels are perforated for air circulation. There are rubberized feet on the underside to prevent it from slipping on the desk. They also cover the screws used to open the case. The workmanship is good, and everything looks as if it were made from a single mold. Christoph Hoffmann The cooling system is exceptionally quiet under normal load. The fan is usually inaudible during simple office work. Under full load, it revs up audibly without producing an annoying whistling noise. Heat dissipation via the metal surface works well. The included external power supply is still compact. Geekom A8: Features The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS belongs to the Hawk Point generation and is classified as a powerful upper mid-range mobile processor designed specifically for efficient multitasking, office workflows and productive applications. The CPU was introduced in early 2024 and offers eight cores and 16 threads, but unlike the top models, it deliberately does without a dedicated NPU for AI acceleration. The AMD Radeon 780M is a modern integrated graphics solution based on the RDNA 3 architecture, which is found in CPUs such as the Ryzen 7 8745HS and is suitable for mainstream graphics tasks and games with low hardware requirements; It delivers significantly more performance than older iGPUs, but still lags behind dedicated graphics cards and is only truly suitable for e-sports titles, which are usually played at reduced resolution and low 3D settings. Christoph Hoffmann Given its compact design, the Geekom A8 surprises with its variety of ports. On the front, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and a 3.5 mm jack for headphones and headsets. The flush-mounted power button has a defined pressure point. Christoph Hoffmann The rear panel is densely populated: here, users will find a USB4 port with up to 40 Gbit/s. It also supports image output and power supply for external devices. In addition, there are two HDMI 2.0 ports and another USB-C port. The fast 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connection (Realtek RTL8125) ensures stable network connections. Christoph Hoffmann While cheaper models such as the Acemagic M1 often skimp on USB speed, the A8 offers consistently fast ports. For wireless connectivity, the mini PC relies on a MediaTek MT7922 (IEEE 802.11ax) Wi-Fi 6E module, which supports the 6 GHz band in addition to the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. This enables higher data rates, lower latencies and a more stable connection in heavily utilized networks. Bluetooth 5.2 is also included in the wireless equipment. This allows input devices, headsets and other accessories to be connected wirelessly. The 16GB of RAM comes from Micron and is located in a DDR5 SO-DIMM slot. According to the manufacturer, the RAM can be expanded to up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM. This provides sufficient reserves for demanding multitasking scenarios, productive applications and long-term use. Christoph Hoffmann A 2280-format M.2 SSD with PCIe 4.0 x4 connection from Wodposit (model WPBSN4M8-1TGP) is used for data storage. It enables very high sequential transfer rates and short access times, which has a positive effect on both system starts and the loading of large amounts of data, noticeably speeding up the mini PC as a whole. Christoph Hoffmann Geekom A8: Operating system The Geekom A8 comes with a hardware-bound Windows 11 license pre-installed, so no additional activation is necessary. When you switch on the mini PC for the first time, the Windows setup wizard starts automatically. During this setup, the first system and security updates are downloaded. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to check for further updates manually after the installation is complete. Christoph Hoffmann Although Windows 11 is basically ready to use as soon as it is delivered, the user must still install drivers for stable and performance-optimised operation. In particular, the latest AMD drivers for the Radeon graphics unit and the chipset should be installed as soon as possible. Both have a decisive influence on system stability, energy efficiency and graphics performance. Christoph Hoffmann In addition, you can check whether the feature update to Windows 11 version 25H2 is already available and can be installed. This was the case for us. Among other things, the update contains security-related adjustments as well as changes to system functions and operating system management. An update ensures that the system complies with the current support and update status from Microsoft. Geekom A8: Performance At the heart of the A8 is the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor. The eight cores clock at high speed and handle multitasking tasks with ease. The benchmarks clearly show the strength of this CPU: in PCMark 10, for example, the system achieves a total score of 6,470 points. The tiny device is particularly impressive in the Essentials category with 9,912 points and in Productivity with 9,129 points. Office applications, surfing the web with dozens of tabs and video conferencing are no problem at all. Christoph Hoffmann The A8 achieves a solid 8,125 points in digital content creation. The A8 is ideally equipped for image editing in Adobe Photoshop or simple video editing. The 16 GB DDR5 RAM ensures smooth system operation. For comparison: the Alliwava GH8 with AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS achieves almost the same result in this benchmark. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS in the Geekom A7 Max is only slightly faster. In the CPU-specific tests of 3DMark, the processor scores 7,359 points at maximum thread count. This underlines its suitability for computationally intensive tasks. The differences to the two mini PCs mentioned above are similar to those in PCMark 10. Christoph Hoffmann When it comes to graphics performance, the Geekom A8’s integrated Radeon unit reaches its limits. It scores 1,877 points in the Time Spy benchmark, which is only ten points less than the Geekom A7 Max. The Steel Nomad Light test delivers a clear signal with 12.41 FPS: this mini PC is not a gaming machine. Even current blockbuster titles can only be played with greatly reduced details and low resolution. The estimated gaming performance usually remains below 30 FPS. Older e-sports titles such as League of Legends, on the other hand, run smoothly. Compared to the Sapphire Edge AI 370 or the Minisforum AI-X1 Pro, the A8 ranks in the upper mid-range. The lack of an NPU is noticeable in the Geekbench AI scores: the system achieves 3,646 points in the single precision score. The more expensive Max models are better suited for specialized AI workflows. Christoph Hoffmann With read speeds of over 7,160 MB/s and write speeds of 6,129 MB/s, the SSD delivers high transfer rates. Programs start without any noticeable delay. The system feels responsive and stable. Christoph Hoffmann Stress tests show that the compact case reaches its physical limits under prolonged full load. Although the Ryzen 7 8745HS briefly achieves very high boost clock speeds, after a few minutes of intensive computing, the system begins to slightly throttle performance (thermal throttling) in order to keep CPU temperatures within a non-critical range. Although the IceBlast cooling system is well optimized for short performance peaks, you can expect a performance drop of about 5 to 10 percent compared to a cold start during hours of continuous use. Geekom A8: Energy consumption & operating noise The Geekom A8 is quite efficient overall, but it takes its toll under load. When idle, the system consumes a modest 5 to 11 watts. However, as soon as full computing power and Radeon graphics are required, consumption rises to an average of 35 to 50 watts, with peaks of up to 90 watts. The included 120-watt power supply is therefore generously dimensioned and offers sufficient reserves to reliably power connected USB 4 peripherals. Under full load, however, consumption is higher than that of simple office mini PCs. The noise level of the A8 is a compromise between size and performance. While the PC runs almost silently when performing simple tasks such as surfing the Internet, the fan curve spikes quickly under changing loads. This can lead to audible fluctuations when background processes briefly demand CPU power. Under full load, the fan reaches levels of up to 45 to 55 dB(A). The noise is more of a constant hum without high-frequency whistling. In a quiet working environment, the mini PC is clearly noticeable under load. Is the Geekom A8 worth it? In testing, the Geekom A8 proved to be an extremely versatile work computer for private use and the modern home office. It handles typical everyday tasks such as office applications, web research, video conferencing, image editing and multimedia playback with ease and without any noticeable delays. Thanks to its high system performance, the mini PC is also suitable for more demanding multitasking and productive workflows that are otherwise reserved for larger desktop systems. Naturally, limitations become apparent with graphics-intensive applications. Users who regularly render professional 3D models, work on complex CAD projects or want to play the latest games in 4K resolution with high detail levels are better off getting a system with a dedicated graphics card. For the vast majority of users, however, the A8 is a compelling solution. This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German. Read...

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych is banned from competing at the Winter Olympics for continuing to wear a helmet which features images of athletes killed during Russia`s invasion of his home country. Read...

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Testing Windows has always allowed you to try out new features ahead of time, even a new operating system. But the Windows 11 26H1 release Microsoft is testing now literally breaks Windows into two parallel tracks, separated into x86 and Arm. Some of this isn’t new: Microsoft said last November that Windows 11 26H1 would be used to test “specific silicon,” believed to be the Snapdragon X2 Elite chips that Qualcomm debuted last fall. That’s now confirmed. Microsoft also released a new Windows 26H1 build this week, with the expectation that the majority of PC users will eventually be shunted to the Windows 11 26H2 release this fall. But here’s the thing: Laptops with Windows 11 26H1 on them won’t be upgradable to Windows 11 26H2. They’ll remain on a separate Windows track until an undisclosed time. In a Microsoft support document released Tuesday, Microsoft reiterated that “Windows 11, version 26H1 will only be available on new devices with select new silicon as they come to market in early 2026.” Again, that’s not entirely new, but means that devices like new iterations of the Microsoft Surface Laptop and Pro will be powered by X2 Elite chips, Windows 11 26H1, and whatever unique Windows experiences Microsoft puts on them. This, though, is the surprise. “Devices running Windows 11, version 26H1 will not be able to update to the next annual feature update in the second half of 2026,” Microsoft added. “This is because Windows 11, version 26H1 is based on a different Windows core than Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2, and the upcoming feature update. These devices will have a path to update in a future Windows release.” This is new. You’ve always been able to test, say, Windows 11, when Windows 10 was nearing the end of its life. And when a new iteration of Windows was nearing release, you’ve often had a choice of testing the version that was just about to release, versus more experimental code designed to ship further down the roadmap. But it was always basically a single, serial path: All of the code would eventually land on your PC, if Microsoft deemed it worthy enough to roll out. That’s not the case now. Assuming that Windows 11 26H1 is exclusive to the Snapdragon X2 Elite, Windows on Arm now has its own path forward. Windows on x86 does too. Microsoft is also telling us that this will last for longer than just six months or so, until Windows 11 26H2 releases. Both Windows 11 26H1 and H2 will receive their own patches and updates. Referring to a “different Windows core” could simply mean that Microsoft is calling out that 26H1 runs on Arm. It doesn’t sound like it, though. We now have two parallel tracks: one for Arm, and one for x86. In coding, developers refer to that as a “fork,” with development going off in two separate directions. That certainly seems to be what’s happening here. What’s odd about the whole situation is that I’ve been told that Microsoft feels that the PC has become a little too complicated, and that consumers are asking for simplicity. That may be why Microsoft is separating the Arm development path into its own track, so that consumers who know and understand Arm might feel comfortable trying out these new experiences. But it still adds another choice for consumers to make. On the other hand, it also makes anything rolled out with Windows 11 26H1 onboard a sort of commercialized beta program. Do I want to buy into a taste of the future, or stick with the tried and true? How does the Windows 11 26H1 code base reconcile with the x86 path in the future? Is Windows 11 26H1 just a preview of what will eventually be Windows 12? It certainly could be. But how, and when, and who gets it are questions we didn’t have until this week. Microsoft just split Windows into two, and things just got even more interesting. Read...