To enable professionals worldwide to build and run AI applications right from their desktops, NVIDIA and AMD are powering a new line of workstations equipped with NVIDIA RTX Ada Generation GPUs and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-Series CPUs. Bringing together the highest levels of AI computing, rendering and simulation capabilities, these new platforms enable professionals to efficiently tackle the most resource-intensive, large-scale AI workflows locally.

Bringing AI Innovation to the Desktop
Advanced AI tasks typically require data-center-level performance. Training a large language model with a trillion parameters, for example, takes thousands of GPUs running for weeks, though research is underway to reduce model size and enable model training on smaller systems while still maintaining high levels of AI model accuracy. The new NVIDIA RTX GPU and AMD CPU-powered AI workstations provide the power and performance required for training such smaller models, as well as local fine-tuning, and helping to offload data center and cloud resources for AI development tasks. The devices let users select single- or multi-GPU configurations as required for their workloads.

Today, HP unveiled the newest addition to the Z by HP workstation lineup: the HP Z6 G5 A, a cutting-edge desktop workstation designed to meet the demanding needs of virtual production, 3D rendering, AI, and machine learning professionals. With the highest number of cores ever in a Z by HP workstation and the ability to configure up to 3 high-performance graphics cards, the Z6 G5 A is set to revolutionize productivity and performance.

Powered by the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO CPU, the Z6 G5 A features up to 96 cores in a single workstation CPU, allowing users to create and render simultaneously on intensive projects. With space for up to 3 high-end NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation GPUs or AMD GPUs and eight memory channels, the Z6 G5 A is perfect for tearing through virtual production, 3D modeling tasks, or complex, advanced data sets.

Ever since the creation of A64FX for the Fugaku supercomputer, Fujitsu has been plotting the development of next-generation CPU design for accelerating AI and general-purpose HPC workloads in the data center. Codenamed Monaka, the CPU is the latest creation for TSMC's 2 nm semiconductor manufacturing node. Based on Armv9-A ISA, the CPU will feature up to 150 cores with Scalable Vector Extensions 2 (SVE2), so it can process a wide variety of vector data sets in parallel. Using a 3D chiplet design, the 150 cores will be split into different dies and placed alongside SRAM and I/O controller. The current width of the SVE2 implementation is unknown.

The CPU is designed to support DDR5 memory and PCIe 6.0 connection for attaching storage and other accelerators. To bring cache coherency among application-specific accelerators, CXL 3.0 is present as well. Interestingly, Monaka is planned to arrive in FY2027, which starts in 2026 on January 1st. The CPU will supposedly use air cooling, meaning the design aims for power efficiency. Additionally, it is essential to note that Monaka is not a processor that will power the post-Fugaku supercomputer. The post-Fugaku supercomputer will use post-Monaka design, likely iterating on the design principles that Monaka uses and refining them for the launch of the post-Fugaku supercomputer scheduled for 2030. Below are the slides from Fujitsu's presentation, in Japenese, which highlight the design goals of the CPU.

The downward spiral for PC shipments continued during the third quarter of 2023 (3Q23) as global volumes declined 7.6% year over year with 68.2 million PCs shipped, according to preliminary results from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. Though demand and the global economy remain subdued, PC shipments have increased in each of the last two quarters, slowing the rate of annual decline and indicating that the market has moved past the bottom of the trough.

PC inventory has also become leaner in the past few months and is near healthy levels in most channels. However, downward pressure on pricing persists and will likely remain an issue within the consumer and business sectors. While most of the top 5 vendors experienced double-digit declines during the quarter, Apple's outsized decline was the result of unfavorable year-over-year comparisons as the company recovered from a COVID-related halt in production during 3Q22. Meanwhile, HP's growth was largely due to the normalizing of inventory.

Today HP Inc. redefined versatility with the HP Spectre Foldable PC, a remarkable 3-in-1 device with a foldable screen that seamlessly integrates the best features of a laptop, tablet, and desktop for the ultimate hybrid experience.

"Consumers are demanding greater flexibility to connect, work, and play for their hybrid lives beyond what the traditional laptop can provide," said Jo Tan, Senior Vice President & Division President of Personal Systems Consumer Solutions, HP Inc. "We are excited to introduce the HP Spectre Foldable PC, designed to seamlessly adapt to the various ways you want to work with its unique, durable form factor that pushes the boundaries of design and technology."

Today, Google announced its next generation of Chromebook devices, called the Chromebook Plus, said to improve upon the legacy set by Chromebooks over a decade ago. Starting at an enticing price point of $399, this new breed of Chromebooks integrates powerful AI capabilities and a range of built-in Google apps. Notably, it features tools like the Google Photos Magic Eraser and web-based Adobe Photoshop, positioning itself as a dynamic tool for productivity and creative exploration. In collaboration with hardware manufacturers such as Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo, Google is launching a lineup of eight Chromebook Plus devices on the launch date, with more possibly coming in the future.

Each model boasts improved hardware configurations over the regular Chromebook, including processors like the Intel Core i3 12th Gen or the AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series, a minimum of 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage. Users are also in for a visual treat with a 1080p IPS display, ensuring crisp visuals for entertainment and work. And for the modern remote workforce, video conferencing gets a substantial upgrade. Every Chromebook Plus comes equipped with a 1080p camera and utilizes AI enhancements to elevate video call clarity, with compatibility spanning various platforms, including Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Set to be available from October 8, 2023, in the US and October 9 in Canada and Europe, the Chromebook Plus is positioning itself as the go-to device for many users. On the other hand, the AI features are slated for arrival in 2024, when companies ensure their software is compatible.Below you can see the upcoming models.

Today HP Inc. redefined versatility with the HP Spectre Foldable PC, a remarkable 3-in-1 device with a foldable screen that seamlessly integrates the best features of a laptop, tablet, and desktop for the ultimate hybrid experience. "Consumers are demanding greater flexibility to connect, work, and play for their hybrid lives beyond what the traditional laptop can provide," said Jo Tan, Senior Vice President & Division President of Personal Systems Consumer Solutions, HP Inc. "We are excited to introduce the HP Spectre Foldable PC, designed to seamlessly adapt to the various ways you want to work with its unique, durable form factor that pushes the boundaries of design and technology."

Designed for Tomorrow's Hybrid Flexibility
The Spectre Fold easily transitions between the three distinct form factors for a frictionless user experience. Effortlessly switch from a traditional laptop to a slim tablet with a continuous 17-inch screen, then to a powerful desktop with a sleek built-in kickstand. This is made possible with a foldable panel and integrated hinge, designed for durability and tested with the same requirements as traditional HP laptops.

According to the latest report from Nikkei, HP, the world's second-largest PC manufacturer after Lenovo, is making strategic shifts in its laptop production bases. In a move that reflects broader trends among tech giants, HP is collaborating with various Electronic Manufacturing Service (EMS) providers to move a significant part of its laptop production out of China to other countries such as Thailand, Mexico, and eventually Vietnam. For 2023 alone, the production outside of China is expected to range from a few million units up to 5 million, a noteworthy figure given HP's total global PC shipments of 55.2 million units. Commercial notebooks are slated for production in Mexico, catering to HP's primary market, North America, with consumer laptops made in Thailand. Additionally, a shift to Vietnam is on the horizon for 2024. Thailand's mature PC supplier ecosystem is anticipated to facilitate a smoother transition for HP.

HP's reconfiguration of manufacturing locations aligns with similar initiatives by other tech giants. Dell, for example, is also reducing its reliance on Chinese-made chips and aims to manufacture at least 20% of its laptops in Vietnam this year. Apple has likewise commenced MacBook production in the same country. Several factors are driving these relocations, with rising manufacturing costs in China, including labor recruitment challenges and increased labor costs, being key among them. Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China also weigh in on these decisions, especially since the U.S. is a crucial market for both HP and Dell. Despite the diversification, HP reaffirms its commitment to continue operations in China, particularly in Chongqing, a significant laptop production hub since 2008.

AMD appears set to enhance the core count for its renowned Threadripper series. After a prolonged wait, the high-end desktop (HEDT) platform boasting a significant CPU count returns with the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX, which features an impressive 96 cores and 192 threads. This marks the series' first core count upgrade since the Threadripper 3000 series. The 7995WX CPU was spotted in the HP Z6 G5 Workstation system, potentially one of the inaugural prebuilt systems from AMD's OEM partners. The Threadripper PRO series seems poised to dominate AMD's HEDT offerings, with no indications of non-PRO consumer models emerging for now.

The latest Geekbench listing unveiled the 7995WX CPU's 96-core configuration. Although the base frequency appears misrepresented, benchmark data hints at the 96-core CPU potentially reaching a boost clock of 5.14 GHz, a detail further confirmed by Geekbench's output. Another notable enhancement in the Threadripper series is introducing the DDR5 memory standard. While the benchmarking tool doesn't explicitly mention this, it does highlight a memory configuration of 503.27 GB (512 GB) in use. The CPU managed to score 2095 points for single-core score and 81408 points for multi-core score on Geekbench v5.5 for Linux (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS), making it one of the fastest CPUs in the database.

NVIDIA and global manufacturers today announced powerful new NVIDIA RTX workstations designed for development and content creation in the age of generative AI and digitalization. The systems, including those from BOXX, Dell Technologies, HP and Lenovo, are based on NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation GPUs and incorporate NVIDIA AI Enterprise and NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise software.

Separately, NVIDIA also released three new desktop workstation Ada Generation GPUs - the NVIDIA RTX 5000, RTX 4500 and RTX 4000 - to deliver the latest AI, graphics and real-time rendering technology to professionals worldwide. "Few workloads are as challenging as generative AI and digitalization applications, which require a full-stack approach to computing," said Bob Pette, vice president of professional visualization at NVIDIA. "Professionals can now tackle these on a desktop with the latest NVIDIA-powered RTX workstations, enabling them to build vast, digitalized worlds in the new age of generative AI."

HyperX, the gaming peripherals team at HP Inc. and brand leader in gaming and esports, today announced the signing of Sean Gares as a HyperX ambassador. Joining the HyperX family, Gares brings extensive experience to the HyperX community as a professional player, caster and well-known content creator, making him an ideal candidate to collaborate with HyperX and provide unique content for gamers and fans alike.

Having previously played for renowned esports organizations such as Cloud 9 and Echo Fox, Gares' deep-rooted knowledge of competitive gaming enables him to create highly engaging and informative content. Gares' exceptional expertise in the popular first-person shooter game, Valorant, has earned him a reputation as one of the top content creators in the gaming industry.

Announced today, Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC) is bringing together leading companies for industry-wide cooperation to build a complete Ethernet-based communication stack architecture for high-performance networking. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) workloads are rapidly evolving and require best-in-class functionality, performance, interoperability and total cost of ownership, without sacrificing developer and end-user friendliness. The Ultra Ethernet solution stack will capitalize on Ethernet's ubiquity and flexibility for handling a wide variety of workloads while being scalable and cost-effective.

Ultra Ethernet Consortium is founded by companies with long-standing history and experience in high-performance solutions. Each member is contributing significantly to the broader ecosystem of high-performance in an egalitarian manner. The founding members include AMD, Arista, Broadcom, Cisco, Eviden (an Atos Business), HPE, Intel, Meta and Microsoft, who collectively have decades of networking, AI, cloud and high-performance computing-at-scale deployments.

HyperX, the gaming peripherals team at HP Inc. and brand leader in gaming and esports, today announced the release of HyperX Cloud Earbuds II gaming earbuds with mic. Offering signature HyperX comfort, the Cloud Earbuds II are designed to offer optimized audio for mobile gaming and feature enhanced ear tip designs in four different sizes to ensure the perfect fit and optimal comfort.

The Cloud Earbuds II feature 14 mm drivers for impressive, high-quality in-game audio and are available in two colorways to match your gaming style: black and red. The earbuds also come with a hard-shell carrying case to safely stow away the earbuds when not in use and keep them handy for quick gaming sessions. Designed for mobile gaming, the Cloud Earbuds II are equipped with a low-profile angled plug to prevent twists and tangles and offer lag-free in-game audio and voice chat. The Cloud Earbuds II also feature a built-in microphone for clear, in-game voice chat and a multi-function button giving gamers the convenient ability to answer calls or pause music easily and quickly.

AMD today announced that its AMD EPYC Embedded Series processors are powering Hewlett Packard Enterprise's new modular, multi-protocol storage solution, HPE Alletra Storage MP. AMD EPYC Embedded processors provide the performance and energy efficiency required for enterprise-class storage systems with high availability, resilience, and industry-leading connectivity and longevity.

The HPE Alletra Storage MP supports a disaggregated infrastructure with multiple storage protocols on the same hardware that can scale independently for performance and capacity. Configurable for block and file stores, HPE Alletra Storage MP gives customers the ability to deploy, manage, and orchestrate data and storage services via the HPE GreenLake edge-to-cloud platform, regardless of the workload and storage protocol. This eliminates data silos, reducing cost and complexity while improving performance.

TrendForce reports that in the first quarter of 2023, global shipments of LCD monitors fell 7.4% QoQ to 28.8 million units, marking a YoY decline of 20.5%. Major brands, including Dell, HP, and Lenovo, experienced significant drops in shipment levels, falling by 15.6%, 22.8%, and 19.2% respectively.

On the other hand, several consumer brands saw quarterly growth in their shipments in the first quarter, primarily due to channels replenishing their inventories in March. Among these brands, AOC/Philips stood out, benefiting greatly from demand in the Chinese consumer market. Their shipments not only grew 10.9% QoQ but also increased 3.3% compared to the first quarter of 2022.

HP brought some of its storage products to the Computex 2023 show, including the new HP Portable SSD P900, a portable storage option that will be available in 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB capacities, as well as plenty of color options, including Grey, Black, Silver, Green, and Pink. It also showed some storage cards and the FX900 Plus PCIe Gen 4 M.2 NVMe SSD.

The HP Portable SSD P900 is pretty compact at 71x52x8.6 mm and weighs just 60 g. The sequential read and write speed are at 2,000 MB/s, which pretty much tops out the Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface. The HP Portable SSD P900 will be backed by a 3-year warranty.

NVIDIA today announced a supercomputer built on the NVIDIA Grace CPU Superchip, adding to a wave of new energy-efficient supercomputers based on the Arm Neoverse platform. The Isambard 3 supercomputer to be based at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, in the U.K., will feature 384 Arm-based NVIDIA Grace CPU Superchips to power medical and scientific research, and is expected to deliver 6x the performance and energy efficiency of Isambard 2, placing it among Europe's most energy-efficient systems.

It will achieve about 2.7 petaflops of FP64 peak performance and consume less than 270 kilowatts of power, ranking it among the world's three greenest non-accelerated supercomputers. The project is being led by the University of Bristol, as part of the research consortium the GW4 Alliance, together with the universities of Bath, Cardiff and Exeter.

TrendForce reveals that alongside the four major CSPs reducing their procurement volumes, OEMs like Dell and HPE have also scaled back their annual shipment volume forecasts at some point between February and April, predicting YoY declines of 15% and 12%, respectively. Furthermore, server demand in China is facing headwinds due to geopolitical and economic challenges. Consequently, TrendForce projects a downward revision in global server shipment volumes for this year—a 2.85% YoY decrease at 13.835 million units.

TrendForce emphasizes that the server market in 1H23 remains pessimistic, with 1Q23 shipments experiencing a 15.9% QoQ decrease due to off-season factors and end-user inventory adjustments. The expected industry boom in 2Q23 failed to materialize, leading to a modest QoQ growth estimate of only 9.23%. Persistent influences on server shipments include OEMs lowering shipment volumes, subdued domestic demand in China, and continuous supply chain inventory adjustments. ESG issues have also led CSPs to prolong server lifecycles and reduce procurement volume. Moreover, OEMs are lengthening supports period for older platforms as businesses seek to control capital expenditures, further contributing to market strain.

KIOXIA America, Inc. today announced that its lineup of CD7 Series Enterprise and Datacenter Standard Form Factor (EDSFF) E3.S NVMe SSDs are first to ship on servers and storage from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). The industry's first EDSFF drives designed with PCIe 5.0 technology, KIOXIA CD7 E3.S SSDs increase flash storage density per drive for optimized power efficiency and rack consolidation. HPE ProLiant Gen11 servers, HPE Alletra 4000 data storage servers and the HPE Synergy 480 Gen11 Compute Module are enabled with the latest PCIe 5.0 interface, enabling up to twice the performance over PCIe 4.0, and come with optionally equipped EDSFF E3.S drive bays.

As a natural evolution of the 2.5-inch form factor, EDSFF E3.S is designed for the needs of high performance flash storage. E3.S enables more dense, efficient deployments in the same rack unit compared to 2.5-inch drives, while improving cooling and thermal characteristics and raising capacities by up to 1.5 - 2x.

Today at the Amplify Partner Conference, HP Inc. announced the new HP Color LaserJet 4200/4300 and the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise 5000/6000 and X500/X600 printing solutions for businesses of all sizes. All new HP Color LaserJet series printers are powered by HP's next generation sustainable toner, which delivers up to 27 percent reduced energy use and up to 78 percent less plastic in the packaging. HP's high-performance printing solutions are built to help growing businesses maximize productivity and minimize disruptions for today's hybrid workstyles.

"Flexible work arrangements are here to stay with companies of all sizes using it as a way to attract and retain top talent. However, distributed workforce productivity is top of mind for businesses," says Xavier Garcia, Global Head & General Manager, Office Print Hardware at HP. "The Color LaserJet 4000 series was designed for small businesses to maximize productivity with easy, reliable, and professional printing. As our customers grow, our Color LaserJet Enterprise 5000/6000 is ready to enable productivity and scale."

Today at the Amplify Partner Conference, HP Inc. announced new products and solutions to usher in the next era of hybrid work for everyone with a comprehensive set of computing solutions for hybrid flexibility. With only 22 percent of workers describing themselves as 'thriving' in hybrid work, it's clear companies are still figuring out how to make hybrid work. "Most companies want to move past the 'forced return' to the office era of hybrid work," said Alex Cho, President of Personal Systems, HP Inc. "The challenge is, they're not sure how to. We believe the future is hybrid flexibility, which delivers the best of the home and the office to workers everywhere."

According to HP's Future of Work study, 80 percent of workers want to be in the office some of the time, but many companies continue to struggle to get workers back in the office. HP research suggests that the most significant barrier to a return to office is a sub-optimal technology experience. In fact, 89 percent say technology is the most important factor driving return to office decisions. Similarly, of those who report thriving in hybrid work, 90 percent believe that access to the right technology and tools leads to a positive work experience. To accelerate employees' return to work, the right technology is required for optimal work setups, enabling success for companies and their employees.

HyperX is readying its brand new Pulsefire Warp wireless gaming mouse, and it may have jumped the queue in front of the recently revealed Pulsefire Haste 2 wired and wireless models. The Pulsefire Warp seems to be an exclusive item for sale only on the MechKeys online store for the time being, and there is no word about it becoming available at more mainstream outlets. The Haste 2 variants have been spotted out in the wild, but only a few lucky people managed to snag these mice early - that initial batch was either a time exclusive preview or issued in error by parent company Hewlett Packard, via its official Ebay outlet. HyperX has stated that the official Haste 2 launch window is scheduled for next month.

The Pulsefire Warp looks to sit below the Haste 2 Wireless in terms of specifications - it lacks the latter's high-end optical sensor (PAW 3395), fancy primary switches and a shell engineered to be very light in weight (74 g vs. 60 g respectively). This indicates that it is a more budget friendly offering, coming at a release price of $65.99, yet the Haste 2 Wireless will have an MSRP of $79.99, and the Haste 2 Wired's MSRP will be $59.99. HyperX is likely targeting different segments within the gaming mouse buying market with its Pulsefire range - the Warp will appeal to a more general audience with an offering of solid performance, a transparent shell aesthetic paired with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Haste 2 variants are stripped back in appearance and tuned for maximum performance - so enthusiasts and hardcore competitive types will be eager to get a hands-on with these.

HyperX, the gaming peripherals team at HP Inc. and brand leader in gaming and esports, today announced it is now shipping the HyperX Clutch Gladiate Wired Controller for Xbox. Designed for serious Xbox gamers, the new Clutch Gladiate delivers comfort and control for extended console gaming sessions.

"HyperX's range of Xbox accessories are designed to enhance the gaming experience for console players," said Aurelius Martinez, global category manager - cloud and console gaming, HyperX. "The new HyperX Clutch Gladiate brings players into the action and enables extended customization and control."

NVIDIA's presence in high-performance computing has steadily increased, with various workloads benefiting from the company's AI and HPC accelerator GPUs. One of the important markets for the company is China, and export regulations are about to complicate NVIDIA's business dealing with the country. NVIDIA's major partners in the Asia Pacific region are Inspur and Huawei, which make servers powered by A100 and H100 GPU solutions. Amid the latest Biden Administration complications, the US is considering limiting more export of US-designed goods to Chinese entities. Back in 2019, the US blacklisted Huawei and restricted the sales of the latest GPU hardware to the company. Last week, the Biden Administration also blacklisted Inspur, the world's third-largest server maker.

In the Morgan Stanley conference, NVIDIA's Chief Financial Officer Colette Cress noted that: "Inspur is a partner for us, when we indicate a partner, they are helping us stand up computing for the end customers. As we work forward, we will probably be working with other partners, for them to stand-up compute within the Asia-Pac region or even other parts of the world. But again, our most important focus is focusing on the law and making sure that we follow export controls very closely. So in this case, we will look in terms of other partners to help us." This indicates that NVIDIA will lose millions of dollars in revenue due to the inability to sell its GPUs to partners like Inspur. As the company stated, complying with the export regulations is the most crucial focus.

HP Inc. announced its new Z by HP high-performance workstation desktop lineup, engineered to change what is possible within complex, data rich workflows. HP is advancing hybrid workforce management with the HP Anyware Remote System Controller, a device that gives IT departments the management capabilities to support high performance devices from anywhere.

The complex workflows in industries spanning media and entertainment, data science, and engineering mean increased time pressure and the need for more compute power to deliver faster results. They also highlight a need to iterate with remote teams and push creative boundaries to deliver more accurate results. The new Z by HP Z4, Z6, Z8, and Z8 Fury desktops, powered by Intel, deliver the scalable balance of CPU and GPU compute needed to fuel new levels of speed, accuracy, and creativity.