Today marks the launch of the new ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 (N6506CU), the latest version of this high-performance 15.6-inch laptop designed for pro creators and pro gamers.

ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 offers seamless creativity and gaming with cutting-edge components: up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor (Series 2) with a built-in 13 TOPS NPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU with a low-latency MUX switch, 24 GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2 TB PCIe SSD. It boasts advanced ASUS IceCool Pro cooling technology that enables up to a 125-watt combined thermal design power (TDP).

Lenovo announced the latest additions to its Lenovo Legion ecosystem of gaming devices, accessories, and software today at CES 2025, delivering a deep bench of devices across a wide range of form-factors that give gamers of all levels powerful options to game their way in pursuit of 'reaching their impossible'. These new devices include:

• The Lenovo Legion Go S (8", 1) and Lenovo Legion Go S (8", 1) - Powered by SteamOS, gaming handheld devices featuring an 8-inch screen with VRR support, a chassis sporting fused TrueStrike controllers with adjustable trigger switches and hall-effect joysticks, and the world's first officially licensed handheld powered by SteamOS.
• The Lenovo Legion Go (8.8", 2), a gaming handheld prototype device planned to feature a native landscape OLED display, up to double the RAM compared to previous generation, and a bigger battery.
• The redesigned Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (16", 10), Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (16", 10) and Lenovo Legion Pro 5 (16", 10) laptops, with new aggressive design language, more performance, and new Lenovo PureSight OLED display options.
• A fully redesigned Legion Space gaming software solution that unifies all Lenovo Legion device settings, syncs with all Lenovo Legion ecosystem devices, provides access to all games in one library, and features a suite of new AI-powered features that help gamers up their game, their streams, and their enjoyment.
• The Lenovo Legion Pro 34WD-10 monitor, a PureSight OLED display with gaming-specific features to give competitive gamers an edge on the map.
• Lenovo also announced other new additions to its Legion and LOQ laptops and desktops, the latest Legion Tab, and a selection of Legion accessories to complement the gaming devices.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the arrival of the 2025 ROG Flow Z13, a powerful gaming tablet. This versatile 2-in-1 gaming machine now features the brand new ultra-powerful AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with Radeon 8060S Graphics and a unified memory structure, allowing for incredible performance and power efficiency. A new stainless steel and copper vapor chamber, larger intake vents and 2nd Gen Arc Flow Fans offer 70% more airflow for quiet and efficient cooling.

This 13-inch tablet boasts a stunning ROG Nebula Display, a 2.5K resolution 180 Hz touchscreen with 500 nits of peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The Flow Z13 now also features a larger 70Wh battery, a larger touchpad and keycaps, and a convenient Command Center button for quick access to vital system functions. With dual USB-C ports, both of which support USB4 and power delivery, as well as a dedicated HDMI 2.1 port, the Flow Z13 lets gamers leave their dongles at home.

Nintendo Switch 2 promises to be this year's big (well small) gaming platform launch. It goes up against a growing ecosystem of handhelds based on x86-64 mobile processors running Windows, its main play would have to be offering a similar or better gameplay experience, but with better battery life, given that all of its hardware is purpose-built for a handheld console, and runs a highly optimized software stack; and the SoC forms a big part of this. Nintendo turned to NVIDIA for the job, given its graphics IP leadership, and its ability to integrate it with Arm CPU IP in a semi-custom chip. Someone with access to a Switch 2 prototype, likely an ISV, took the device apart, revealing the chip, a die-shrunk version of the Tegra T239 from 2023.

It's important to note that prototype consoles physically appear nothing like the final product, they're just designed so ISVs and game developers can validate them, and together with PC-based "official" emulation, set up the ability to develop or port games to the new platform. The Switch 2 looks very similar to the original Switch, it is a large tablet-like device, with detachable controllers. The largest chip on the mainboard is the NVIDIA Tegra T239. Nintendo Prime shared more details about the chip.

TrendForce's latest investigations reveal that the DRAM market is expected to face downward pricing pressure in 1Q25 as seasonal weakness aligns with sluggish consumer demand for products like smartphones. Additionally, early stockpiling by notebook manufacturers—over potential import tariffs under the Trump administration—has further exacerbated the pricing decline.

Conventional DRAM prices are projected to drop by 8% to 13%. However, if HBM products are included, the anticipated price decline will range from 0% to 5%.

ASUS today announced ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI, the world's first mini PC featuring Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) integrated with Microsoft Copilot+. This revolutionary device is engineered to deliver unparalleled performance for use across diverse sectors, easily handling business, entertainment, and industrial apps. Boasting compact dimensions and advanced AI capabilities, ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI sets a new benchmark for mini PC innovation, offering an alternative to traditional desktops in a compact package.

World's first AI-enabled mini PC, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2)
ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI represents a major leap in AI mini PC technology. It's powered by up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processors (Series 2) that feature a multi-architecture design incorporating CPU, GPU, and NPU technologies. Delivering a total of 120 platform TOPS and 48 NPU TOPS, ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI provides 3X the AI performance of previous-generation NUC models, making it ideal for commercial use, edge computing, and IoT applications.

AAEON's UP brand, most known for its pioneering developer board portfolio, has released the UP Xtreme i14 Edge, a Mini PC equipped with Intel Core Ultra processing, Intel Arc graphics, and 64 GB of LPDDR5 system memory. The PC is primarily geared towards applications requiring high performance computer vision, such as smart traffic monitoring and AI-assisted commercial security systems, but given the serial communication options available on the PC, the UP Xtreme i14 Edge would be just as suitable for the remote monitoring and control of industrial setups.

Outside the integrated CPU, GPU, and NPU of its Intel Core Ultra SoC, a key standout feature of the UP Xtreme i14 Edge is the fact it offers double the system memory of its predecessor, at 64 GB, as well as substantial upgrades to available display outputs. The UP Xtreme i14 Edge offers two HDMI 2.1 ports with Fixed Rate Link (FRL) technology for high bandwidth and improved display output quality. In addition to this, the system also contains one DP 1.2 port and a DP 1.4 interface via its USB Type-C port, giving users simultaneous 4K displays at 144 Hz.

Gear up for unparalleled mobile gaming with the new MSI Claw 8 AI+& Claw 7 AI+ refresh. Powered by the next-gen Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (Series 2), these two compact powerhouses combine exceptional performance with outstanding efficiency. Enjoy stunning visuals on vibrant displays, available in two sizes: 7-inch and the new 8-inch, enhanced by AI-driven precision.

Upgraded with larger batteries for longer gaming sessions and optimized power consumption for smoother performance. Designed for optimal comfort during intense gameplay, the Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ feature sleek ergonomic designs, advanced cooling technology, and comprehensive I/O ports for seamless connectivity. As the Copilot+ PC-capable handhelds available, they set a new standard for portable gaming.

TrendForce's latest investigations reveal that the global DRAM industry revenue reached US$26.02 billion in 3Q24, marking a 13.6% QoQ increase. The rise was driven by growing demand for DDR5 and HBM in data centers, despite a decline in LPDDR4 and DDR4 shipments due to inventory reduction by Chinese smartphone brands and capacity expansion by Chinese DRAM suppliers. ASPs continued their upward trend from the previous quarter, with contract prices rising by 8% to 13%, further supported by HBM's displacement of conventional DRAM production.

Looking ahead to 4Q24, TrendForce projects a QoQ increase in overall DRAM bit shipments. However, the capacity constraints caused by HBM production are expected to have a weaker-than-anticipated impact on pricing. Additionally, capacity expansions by Chinese suppliers may prompt PC OEMs and smartphone brands to aggressively deplete inventory to secure lower-priced DRAM products. As a result, contract prices for conventional DRAM and blended prices for conventional DRAM and HBM are expected to decline.

AAEON's UP brand, which began with the creation of the credit-card sized UP developer board almost a decade ago, has introduced the UP 710S, a modernized, slimline 85 mm x 56 mm single-board that retains the DNA of its iconic predecessor, but with the addition of new features and greater performance to reflect the technological advancements made over the years.

While the UP 710S retains the credit-card sized form factor of the original UP Board, AAEON has reduced the board's height by 10 mm in order to make the already compact board more suitable for deployment in space-constrained environments, with its height now measuring just 25.13 mm. While such a design change would typically require a tradeoff in the form of a reduction in I/O options, but the UP 710S maintains key functions like GPIO, I2C, SPI, and COM that were previously attainable via a 40-pin HAT through dedicated wafers.

Nintendo has officially announced that its next-generation Switch console will feature backward compatibility, allowing players to use their existing game libraries on the new system. However, those eagerly awaiting the console's release may need to exercise patience as launch expectations have shifted to early 2025. On the official X account, Nintendo has announced: "At today's Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well. Further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date."

While the original Switch evolved from a 20 nm Tegra X1 to a more power-efficient 16 nm Tegra X1+ SoC (both featuring four Cortex-A57 and four Cortex-A53 cores with GM20B Maxwell GPUs), the Switch 2 is rumored to utilize a customized variant of NVIDIA's Jetson Orin SoC, now codenamed T239. The new chip represents a significant upgrade with its 12 Cortex-A78AE cores, LPDDR5 memory, and Ampere GPU architecture with 1,536 CUDA cores, promising enhanced battery efficiency and DLSS capabilities for the handheld gaming market. With the holiday 2024 release window now seemingly off the table, the new console is anticipated to debut in the first half of 2025, marking nearly eight years since the original Switch's launch.

JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, the global leader in standards development for the microelectronics industry, today announced the publication of PS-007A LPDDR5 CAMM2 Connector Performance Standard. The connector, referred to as "LP5CAMM2," is designed to offer a standardized modular LPDDR5 solution with ecosystem support, unlike the traditional LPDDR5 memory-down approach. Developed by JEDEC's JC-11 Committee for Mechanical Standardization, PS-007A is available for free download from the JEDEC website.

As compared to a DDR5 SODIMM connector, benefits of the LP5CAMM2 connector include:

• Better signal integrity (SI) and improved radio frequency interference (RFI)
• To enable a module solution with lower power consumption and increased battery life
• 50% form factor reduction with the similar Z height

Samsung Electronics today reported financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2024. The Company posted KRW 79.1 trillion in consolidated revenue, an increase of 7% from the previous quarter, on the back of the launch effects of new smartphone models and increased sales of high-end memory products. Operating profit declined to KRW 9.18 trillion, largely due to one-off costs, including the provision of incentives in the Device Solutions (DS) Division. The strength of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar resulted in a negative impact on company-wide operating profit of about KRW 0.5 trillion compared to the previous quarter.

In the fourth quarter, while memory demand for mobile and PC may encounter softness, growth in AI will keep demand at robust levels. Against this backdrop, the Company will concentrate on driving sales of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and high-density products. The Foundry Business aims to increase order volumes by enhancing advanced process technologies. Samsung Display Corporation (SDC) expects the demand of flagship products from major customers to continue, while maintaining a quite conservative outlook on its performance. The Device eXperience (DX) Division will continue to focus on premium products, but sales are expected to decline slightly compared to the previous quarter.

Details of what is claimed to be Google's upcoming Tensor G5 and G6 SoCs have popped up over on Notebookcheck.net and the site claims to have found the specs on a public platform, without going into any further details. Those that were betting on the Tensor G5—codenamed Laguna—delivering vastly improved performance over the Tensor G4, are likely to be disappointed, at least on the CPU side of things. As previous rumours have suggested, the chip is expected to be manufactured by TSMC, using its N3E process node, but the Tensor G5 will retain the single Arm Cortex-X4 core, although it will see a slight upgrade to five Cortex-A725 cores vs. the three Cortex-A720 cores of the Tensor G4. The G5 loses two Cortex-A520 cores in favour of the extra Cortex-A725 cores. The Cortex-X4 will also remain clocked at the same peak 3.1 GHz as that of the Tensor G4.

Interestingly it looks like Google will drop the Arm Mali GPU in favour of an Imagination Technologies DXT GPU, although the specs listed by Notebookcheck doesn't add up with any of the specs listed by Imagination Technologies. The G5 will continue to support 4x 16-bit LPDDR5 or LPDDR5X memory chips, but Google has added support for UFS 4.0 memory, something that's been a point of complaint for the Tensor G4. Other new additions is support for 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCI Express 4.0. Some improvements to the camera logic has also been made, with support for up to 200 Megapixel sensors or 108 Megapixels with zero shutter lag, but if Google will use such a camera or not is anyone's guess at this point in time.

The second generation of AMD Ryzen Z-series processors for handheld gaming consoles, will be led by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme. There will also be an affordable Ryzen Z2 (non-Extreme). We've known for some time that the Z2 Extreme is based on the 4 nm "Strix Point" monolithic silicon, with some optimization (the highest bins to facilitate the best energy efficiency); but now we have a few more details thanks to a leak by Golden Pig Upgrade. AMD's engineering effort with the Z2 Extreme will be to give the console the most generational performance uplift from the iGPU, rather than the CPU.

The "Strix Point" silicon features a significantly updated iGPU from the previous-generation "Phoenix." It's based on the more efficient RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture, which is better optimized for LPDDR5 memory; and comes with 16 compute units (CU), compared to 12 on the "Phoenix." The Ryzen Z2 Extreme will come with all 16 CU enabled. The CPU is where some interesting changes are planned. The "Strix Point" silicon features a dual-CCX CPU, one of these contains four "Zen 5" CPU cores sharing a 16 MB L3 cache, while the other features eight "Zen 5c" cores sharing an 8 MB L3 cache. For the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, AMD is going with an odd 3+5 core configuration. What this means is that the Ryzen Z2 Extreme will have 3 "Zen 5" cores, and 5 "Zen 5c" cores. The L3 cache on the CCX with "Zen 5" cores has been reduced to 8 MB in size. On paper, this is still an 8-core/16-thread CPU with 16 MB of L3 cache (same as "Phoenix,") but now you know that there's more going on.

Leading white box provider AAEON has released the FWS-2290, its most powerful desktop network appliance to date. The FWS-2290 is the first from the company's Network Security Division to feature Intel Processor N-series CPUs, with the Intel Processor N97 being the chosen default processor, but the full Intel Processor N-series range being supported.

This choice of CPU platform lends the FWS-2290 to use in Unified Threat Management (UTM) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications, given its inclusion of integrated security features such Intel Control-Flow Enforcement Technology (CET), Intel Advanced Encryption Standard Instructions (AES-NI), and Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O.

TrendForce's latest findings reveal that weaker consumer demand has persisted through 3Q24, leaving AI servers as the primary driver of memory demand. This dynamic, combined with HBM production displacing conventional DRAM capacity, has led suppliers to maintain a firm stance on contract price hikes.

Smartphone brands continue to remain cautious despite some server OEMs continuing to show purchasing momentum. Consequently, TrendForce forecasts that Q4 memory prices will see a significant slowdown in growth, with conventional DRAM expected to increase by only 0-5%. However, benefiting from the rising share of HBM, the average price of overall DRAM is projected to rise 8-13%—a marked deceleration compared to the previous quarter.

NVIDIA has reportedly discontinued its dual-rack GB200 NVL36x2 GPU model, opting to focus on the single-rack GB200 NVL72 and NVL36 models. This shift, revealed by industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, aims to simplify NVIDIA's offerings in the AI and HPC markets. The decision was influenced by major clients like Microsoft, who prefer the NVL72's improved space efficiency and potential for enhanced inference performance. While both models perform similarly in AI large language model (LLM) training, the NVL72 is expected to excel in non-parallelizable inference tasks. As a reminder, the NVL72 features 36 Grace CPUs, delivering 2,592 Arm Neoverse V2 cores with 17 TB LPDDR5X memory with 18.4 TB/s aggregate bandwidth. Additionally, it includes 72 Blackwell GB200 SXM GPUs that have a massive 13.5 TB of HBM3e combined, running at 576 TB/s aggregate bandwidth.

However, this shift presents significant challenges. The NVL72's power consumption of around 120kW far exceeds typical data center capabilities, potentially limiting its immediate widespread adoption. The discontinuation of the NVL36x2 has also sparked concerns about NVIDIA's execution capabilities and may disrupt the supply chain for assembly and cooling solutions. Despite these hurdles, industry experts view this as a pragmatic approach to product planning in the dynamic AI landscape. While some customers may be disappointed by the dual-rack model's cancellation, NVIDIA's long-term outlook in the AI technology market remains strong. The company continues to work with clients and listen to their needs, to position itself as a leader in high-performance computing solutions.

Today at HP Imagine, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) announced the company's newest innovations, including next-gen AI PCs, AI-enabled video conferencing solutions, and a scalable GPU performance sharing solution for AI developers - all designed to transform the future of work.

"HP is deeply ambitious in its commitment to reshape the way people work, fostering growth, nurturing creativity, and unleashing limitless innovation," said Alex Cho, President of Personal Systems at HP Inc. "We're bringing AI to life and delivering powerful new experiences through our next-gen AI PCs, advanced audio and video solutions, and innovative AI development platform."

Nintendo's next-generation Switch 2 handheld gaming console is nearing its release. As leaks intensify about its future specifications, we get information about its planning stages. According to Moore's Law is Dead YouTube video, we learn that Nintendo didn't choose AMD APU to be the powerhouse behind Switch 2 due to poor battery life. In a bid to secure the best chip at a mere five watts of power, the Japanese company had two choices: NVIDIA Tegra or AMD APU. With some preliminary testing and evaluation, AMD APU wasn't reportedly power-efficient at 5 Watt TDP, while the NVIDIA Tegra chip was maintaining sufficient battery life and performance at target specifications.

Allegedly the AMD APU was good for 15 W design, but Nintendo didn't want to place a bigger battery so that the device remains lighter and cheaper. The final design will likely carry a battery with a 20 Wh capacity, which will be the main power source behind the NVIDIA Tegra T239 SoC. As a reminder, the Tegra T239 SoC features eight-core Arm A78C cluster with modified NVIDIA Ampere cores in combination with DLSS, featuring some of the latest encoding/decoding elements from Ada Lovelace, like AV1. There are likely 1536 CUDA cores paired with 128-bit LPDDR5 memory running at 102 GB/s bandwidth. For final specifications, we have to wait for the official launch, but with rumors starting to intensify, we can expect to see it relatively soon.

In case you missed it, AMD's new madcap enthusiast silicon engineering effort, the "Strix Halo," is real, and comes with the Ryzen AI Max 300 series branding. These are chiplet-based mobile processors with one or two "Zen 5" CCDs—same ones found in "Granite Ridge" desktop processors—paired with a large SoC die that has an oversized iGPU. This arrangement lets AMD give the processor up to 16 full-sized "Zen 5" CPU cores, and an iGPU with as many as 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units (2,560 stream processors), and a 256-bit LPDDR5/x memory interface for UMA.

"Strix Halo" is designed for ultraportable gaming notebooks or mobile workstations where low PCB footprint is of the essence, and discrete GPU is not an option. For enthusiast gaming notebooks with discrete GPUs, AMD is designing the "Fire Range" processor, which is essentially a mobile BGA version of "Granite Ridge," and a successor to the Ryzen 7045 series "Dragon Range." The Ryzen AI Max series has three models based on CPU and iGPU CU counts—the Ryzen AI Max 395+ (16-core/32-thread with 40 CU), the Ryzen AI Max 390 (12-core/24-thread with 40 CU), and the Ryzen AI Max 385 (8-core/16-thread, 32 CU). An alleged Ryzen AI Max 390 engineering sample surfaced on the Geekbench AI benchmark online database.

ASUS today announced Zenbook S 14 (UX5406), one of the thinnest and most portable 14-inch new-era ASUS AI PCs on the market, blending performance with sophistication. The premium Zenbook S 14 showcases a new functional aesthetic, and has been completely redesigned inside and out. The chassis features the new, innovative ASUS Ceraluminum, a high-tech ceramic hybrid material available in a range of nature-inspired colors. This industry-first material offers exceptional strength, effortlessly resisting scratches and wear.

Zenbook S 14 is powered by up to the latest AI-enabled Intel Core Ultra 9 processor (Series 2) and Intel Arc graphics, delivering up to 48 NPU TOPS. Advanced CNC milling enables the integration of an ultraslim vapor chamber in the ultra-quiet ambient cooling system—unique for such a thin device—ensuring up to 28-watt CPU TDP performance with minimal noise. The functional design features a dedicated Copilot key and an enlarged 16:10 seamless touchpad that supports smart gestures.

AMD is readying a major update to its category-defining Ryzen Z-series SoCs, with the new Ryzen Z2. Designed for handheld game consoles, the Ryzen Z-series chips are typically power-optimized variants of its mobile processors designed for ultra-low board footprint, allowing PC OEMs to build handheld game consoles with them. Facing competition from Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake-MX" SoCs in this segment, AMD is readying the Ryzen Z2 chip. The Z2 is based on the 4 nm "Strix Point" silicon, which gives it a significantly updated iGPU, as well as a higher core-count CPU.

Perhaps the biggest sub-system performance uplift console designers can expect from the Ryzen Z2 is graphics—AMD has given the "Strix Point" a larger iGPU with 16 compute units in place of 12 on "Phoenix," which is a 33% increase in just numerical terms. Then there's also the update to the newer RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture, which incorporates several architecture-level performance and battery-efficiency improvements. It's also better optimized for LPDDR5 memory. With CPU, AMD has given "Strix Point" a heterogeneous multicore setup with four "Zen 5" and eight "Zen 5c" cores. At this point, we don't know if all 12 cores are enabled on the Z2. ASUS is designing its next generation of ROG Ally consoles powered by the Ryzen Z2, and its designers hint that the console should be able to offer over 1 hour of "Black Myth: Wukong" gameplay on a full charge of battery—something current-gen ROG Ally X powered by the Z1 doesn't.

Lenovo, a global leader in technology innovation, proudly announces a series of groundbreaking products at Lenovo Innovation World 2024, each designed to redefine the future of professional computing and artificial intelligence. At a special event hosted in Berlin, the highlights include the newly designed premium Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), and the innovative Lenovo Auto Twist AI PC proof of concept. Lenovo also featured the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 and the all new ThinkBook 16 Gen 7+ powered by the latest AMD Ryzen AI processors. Additionally, Lenovo introduced the ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 powered by the Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor. Together, these innovations showcase Lenovo's commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology, exceptional user experiences, and enhanced productivity and creativity for enterprise customers.

Lenovo also announced AI PC Fast Start, a solution designed to help organizations swiftly transition to AI-ready devices, maximizing ROI through AI-powered advisory and simplified deployment. Backed by Lenovo's award-winning support, these services accelerate AI adoption and ensure seamless implementation.

Acer today unveiled the new TravelMate P6 14 AI, leading the market with Copilot+ PCs under 1 kg. This new Windows 11 Pro laptop delivers exceptional performance, mobility and AI capabilities for businesses and institutions. It is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) with a built-in NPU boasting up to 120 total platform TOPS AI performance in a compact, carbon fiber chassis.

This latest TravelMate boasts a stunning 14-inch WQXGA+ (2880x1800) 16:10 display with IPS technology or WUXGA (1920x1200) panel featuring high 400 nit brightness and 100% sRGB color gamut, supporting outstanding picture quality. Thin bezels and a high 82% screen-to-body ratio maximize the screen area for more immersive viewing experiences.