The Indian Government on Thursday announced restrictions on the import of pre-built laptop and desktop PCs, tablets, and convertibles. These restrictions take effect immediately. The decision is designed to get major PC manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, and Apple, to manufacture their devices on Indian soil, or subject each individual PC model through a lengthy import licensing regime—essentially a penalty for not manufacturing locally. The new restrictions find several parallels to India's 2020 decision to restrict import of TVs, which caused major consumer electronics firms to rush to set up local assembly lines to keep up with the country's market demand.

The restrictions on the import of PCs is seen as complicating things for PC manufacturers, especially as the country heads into its biggest consumer cycle with Diwali (Q4-2023). India's current import restrictions on smartphones and TVs have caused most consumer electronics giants to set up assembly lines in India; however these lines barely contribute 20% of value-addition to the product (i.e. much of the product comes knocked down and is simply put together); however manufacturers are incentivized to localize more of their value-addition, through the country's performance-linked incentives (PLI) scheme. Certain whitebox ODMs have localized even PCB placement, and display panel manufacturing. India's ICT imports for the period of just Q2-2023 stood at $19.7 billion, the country clocks roughly $75-90 billion in ICT/PC sales per year.

Iceberg Interactive and Stormling Studios are excited to announce the launch of Lunacy: Saint Rhodes, an immersive first-person survival horror game that will send chills down everyone's spine. Now available on Steam, Lunacy: Saint Rhodes is ready to offer a truly disturbing experience for an SRP of just $19.99.

In Lunacy: Saint Rhodes, players will feel trapped within a claustrophobic horror movie, as their family's disturbing history is slowly unraveled. They will discover the secrets behind a tragic family event, and be made to confront their inner demons. All this while navigating the dark and oppressive town of Saint Rhodes, where the feeling of constant unwanted company never goes away. You will feel watched; never alone, never safe.

VisionTek Products LLC (VisionTek), a recognized leader in the field of high-performance upgrades and accessories for PCs and Macs, today announced the introduction of the VisionTek VT4950 KVM docking station. This innovative product is the upgraded successor to the previously celebrated VT4900 KVM docking station and is designed to enhance the workflow of users in today's professional and remote work environments. The VT4950 enables users to seamlessly swap between two connected Windows, Mac, or Chromebook host systems with up to three 4K displays, accessories, and peripherals through a single USB-C connection to each.

"The VT4950 simplifies the process of switching between systems, saving users valuable time and making their workflow more efficient," said Nick Bill, director of product development and product marketing. "This frees these users from the tedium of unplugging and reconnecting everything as they switch between systems, resulting in significant time savings."

Sharkoon Technologies is an international supplier of high-quality, high-performance PC components and peripherals and, for the first time, is now launching two chairs - the OfficePal C30 and the OfficePal C30M - that are specially made for comfortable and productive work, whether in the office or at home. For this, the chair design offers a mesh construction and a variety of ergonomic adjustment options.

The OfficePal C30 office chair in classic black features a breathable mesh backrest as well as a traditional, padded seat base. This combination should provide for pleasantly comfortable working, no matter what the office environment or the time of the year. The OfficePal C30M, on the other hand, appears in subtle grey, and both the backrest and the seat base are covered with a stretched mesh. Through this full-mesh design, the pressure should be optimally distributed to ensure a particularly light and ergonomic sitting experience.

DeepCool, a leading manufacturer of PC cooling solutions, cases and components, is proud to unveil the CH560 and CH560 DIGITAL, the latest additions to their lineup of high-performance PC cases. Designed with a keen focus on airflow, these cases are perfect for modern power-hungry systems that require efficient cooling for optimal performance.

The DeepCool CH560 DIGITAL is a digital temperature gauge version that caters to users with high-end systems who demand the utmost airflow. With CPUs and GPUs reaching new levels of power consumption, closed-off cases are no longer sufficient. Taking cooling to the next level, The CH560 DIGITAL features dual status screens that provide vital CPU and GPU information at a quick glance, freeing up precious desktop screen space. Users can choose between CPU and GPU temperatures, utilization, or both, with the screens switching between temperature and utilization in 5-second intervals. The integrated double-status digital screen is controlled by a simple-to-use application, giving users full control of the display statuses.

After a slow week of new releases, we're in for an extremely packed week this coming week, as we have no less than two AAA titles and several other big releases. The first AAA title this coming week is a sequel from Gearbox with the second AAA title having been out on the PlayStation consoles for quite some time, but it's been given some new sparkly features on PC. We also have a space game that we know some of you have been looking forward to, as well as a time travel game and a few other little gems.

Remnant II / This Week's First AAA Title / Tuesday 25 July
Remnant II is the sequel to the best-selling game Remnant: From the Ashes that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself. To succeed, players will need to rely on their own skills and those of their team to overcome the toughest challenges and to stave off humanity's extinction.

ThundeRobot, a major player in China's laptop market, is set to release a new PC console, the MIX, which shares striking similarities with Alienware's bygone Steam Machine. The console, equipped with Intel's 13th Gen Core CPU and Nvidia's RTX 4060 GPU, is set to debut on July 21st, predominantly targeting the Chinese market. Though not as familiar a brand outside Asia, ThundeRobot enjoys a significant market share in the region as the third-largest supplier of consumer notebooks and gaming peripherals. Its product catalog rivals brands like Asus and Razer, with offerings spanning custom-branded gaming notebooks to gaming monitors, keyboards, mice, and controllers.

The upcoming MIX console boasts a compact size, nearly 60% smaller than an Xbox Series S, at only 1.7 liters. Despite the uncertainty around whether the console's RTX 4060 GPU is a mobile or desktop variant, ThundeRobot brags that it would feature one or more of Intel's new 13th Gen Raptor Lake HX-series mobile CPUs. The console's matte black finish and triangular front-right indentation echo the design of Alienware's Steam Machine, suggesting that ThundeRobot may have drawn some inspiration from the Alienware console PC. Priced at around 6000 Yuan, approximately $830, the compact yet potent MIX console is expected to launch soon in China, with no current plans for release in the United States.

Simply NUC, Inc, a leading mini PC solutions company, announced they are prepared to continue ramping their investment in mini PCs and the NUC product line as Intel has announced their intentions to stop investment in this area and pivot their strategy to enable ecosystem partners to continue NUC innovation and growth.

"I am privileged to have helped start up the NUC business at Intel," said John Deatherage CMO of Simply NUC. "Simply NUC has a strong portfolio of branded products and remains 100% focused and committed to delivering small form factor solutions."

The PC market is dominated by the Windows operating system. There are alternatives, but most commercial applications run Windows OS, and the usage for the average user makes sense. However, Linux users often dream of the "year of Linux on desktop," where Linux starts dominating the PC market and mass adoption starts. In reality, this isn't the case as most people use the default or install the Windows OS. Today, we learn that Linux broke the 3% market share number after 30 years of presence. Being the highest market share it ever recorded, the OSes based on the Linux kernel now represent 3.07% of the entire market.

The survey data conducted by StatCounter shows that Windows holds 68.23%, OS X for macOS holds 21.32, ChromeOS has a 4.13% share, while unknown OSes hold 3.24%. This includes BSD-based alternatives and others. It is worth noting that Linux adoption could be a part of Steam Deck, which runs on a SteamOS 3.0 distribution based on Arch Linux. It also includes a Proton compatibility layer, which helps Windows games run on Linux, so users have an easier time running their favorite applications.

Today, 2K unveiled that 18-time All-Star, five-time NBA Champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, all-time leading scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, Kobe Bryant will be featured as the NBA 2K24 Kobe Bryant Edition and Black Mamba Edition cover athlete. NBA 2K24 will release worldwide on September 8 on all platforms and feature crossplay compatibility for PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X|S.

"As we celebrate 25 years of NBA 2K with Kobe Bryant, we commemorate his legacy and the generational impact he has had on the game of basketball," said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. "While we mark the history of the franchise, NBA 2K24 also looks ahead to the future to bring an innovative leap in technology and the introduction of community-requested features like crossplay."

TrendForce reports that continued production cuts by DRAM suppliers have led to a gradual quarterly decrease in overall DRAM supply. Seasonal demand, on the other hand, is helping to mitigate inventory pressure on suppliers. TrendForce projects that the third quarter will see the ASP for DRAM converging towards a 0~5% decline. Despite suppliers' concerted efforts, inventory levels persistently remain high, keeping prices low. While production cutbacks may help to curtail quarterly price declines, a tangible recovery in prices may not be seen until 2024.

PC DRAM: The benefits of consolidated production cuts on DDR4 by the top three suppliers are expected to become evident in the third quarter. Furthermore, inventory pressure on suppliers has been partially alleviated due to aggressive purchasing by several OEMs at low prices during 2Q23. Evaluating average price trends for PC DRAM products in 3Q23 reveals that DDR4 will continue to remain in a state of persistent oversupply, leading to an expected quarterly price drop of 3~8%. DDR5 prices—influenced by suppliers' efforts to maintain prices and unmet buyer demand—are projected to see a 0-5% quarterly decline. The overall ASP of PC DRAM is projected to experience a QoQ decline of 0~5% in the third quarter.

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Power, Cooling, Gaming peripherals, and enthusiast Memory solutions, is pleased to launch the TOUGHFAN 12/14 Pro PC Cooling Fan, the high-end model of the TOUGHFAN series providing stronger airflow and static pressure. The TOUGHFAN Pro is equipped with specially engineered fan blades for unparalleled performance. In addition, this fan features a tight tip clearance design and an improved structure to decrease airflow leakage and strengthen overall air intake. The TOUGHFAN Pro is a premier component for high-performance applications such as your chassis, air and liquid cooling, and heavy-duty operations.

To achieve more superior cooling performance compared to the previous generation of TOUGHFANs, the TOUGHFAN Pro incorporates nine lengthened newly engineered fan blades, reaching a maximum speed up to 2000 RPM and delivering a great amount of airflow 70.8/119.6 CFM with 3.19/3.57 mm-H2O of static pressure. The material of fan blades are constructed with liquid crystal polymer (LCP), reducing vibration when spinning at full-speed and maintaining an outstandingly low noise signature. Additionally, the 0.6 mm extremely tight tip clearance (distance between the fan blade and the frame) of the TOUGHFAN Pro, a brand-new square fan frame design, and its beveled edge at the rear can minimize air leakage and enhance the overall cooling efficiency while installed in a chassis or on a radiator.

Today, publisher Focus Entertainment and studio Mundfish announced the first DLC for Atomic Heart, the action-RPG set in the mad utopia of fictional 1955. Debuting the Atomic Pass' series of DLCs, Atomic Heart: Annihilation Instinct will release on August 2, as advertised in a powerful new Release Date Trailer. This first batch is packed with all types of new content to keep the experience as thrilling as ever: a new area, new weapons, new enemies, a new glove ability… Besides, Focus Entertainment and Mundfish are excited to announce the immediate availability of the highly requested New Game+ mode and up to 40% off on Steam! Don't miss your chance to grab it with an impressive discount.

Continue the story in the Annihilation Instinct DLC and learn what happened to this dystopian world after the climax of Atomic Heart. Prepare to embark on a journey through the new mind-bending Mendeleev Complex and its surrounding swamps and discover the truth about NORA as Major P-3 is pulled back into Facility 3826. Survive vicious, shape-shifting new enemies and take them down using two cunning new weapons - ranged one the Secateur and melee one the Klusha - as well as your glove's new Techno-Stasis ability, allowing you to manipulate time itself. Meet a new enigmatic character, as well as returning ones in surprising circumstances and dive deep into the AI's insanity to curb its Annihilation Instinct.

EIZO Corporation (TSE: 6737) today introduced the DuraVision FDX1204T - a 12.1-inch monitor with 1024 x 768 resolution that is built to last in industrial environments. The DuraVision FDX1204T is the successor model to the FDX1203T. The new model has updated input connections compared to its predecessor and is equipped with modern DisplayPort and HDMI inputs for connecting to a PC, in addition to a D-Sub 15 pin analog input.

To meet the requirements of varying installation environments, the monitor is available in three configurations: desktop, VESA mount, and panel mount. It is built for durability, capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from 0 to 50°C. Additionally, the cabinet does not contain any ventilation holes, making it impervious to liquids and dust.

Electronic Arts and Respawn Entertainment has released the latest patch version 6 for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor that fixes some issues across all platforms, and it should be already available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Unfortunately, there is no word on DLSS support or any visual improvements with Ray Tracing effects, so hopefully, we'll see these in future updates.

According to the release notes, the new Patch 6 should fix various crashes across all platforms, fix some general game issues like collision improvements, blaster handling, and holomap map data, various mission issues, and brings other "various bug fixes and improvements."

Atari, once a leader in video game consoles, has today published... a new game! Called Mr. Run and Jump, the game is a classical 2D platformer, following Mr. Run and Jump with his trusty pal Leap the Dog, who defeats the terrifying Void and collects all the Power Gems from the Realms of Color. The gameplay is self-explanatory, as this 2D platformer aims to bring some of the vibes of older games with modernized stories and elements. Interestingly, the game is available for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Atari 2600, also called Atari Video Computer System (VCS). The last game for Atari VCS was developed in 1990, and this game comes after 33 years to the platform.

Coming in a cartridge for the VCS console, the cartridge design has been updated a bit. It now has beveled edges and gold-plated connectors. Atari prices the cartridge at 60 USD, with availability on July 31. This version of the game is toned down a bit, as the older VCS hardware can not support all the features that modern console/PC versions have. There are 80 levels in the game and as many as five different enemy types, with a unique high-score system.Below are more screenshots of the game.

The Great War is over, but a new battlefront emerges in the heart of Russia. Brace yourself for an immersive gaming experience inspired by real historical events. Last Train Home thrusts players into the grim aftermath of the First World War. As a commander of the Czechoslovak Legion, you'll find yourself trapped in the chaos of civil war, with a single objective: to safely navigate your men through the horrors of the new conflict and bring them back home.

Venture into an unforgiving landscape aboard an armored train, traversing the perilous frozen expanse of Siberia. Your journey will bring your men to their limits as you face relentless challenges and make life-or-death decisions at every turn. In this gripping tale, survival hinges upon your tactical prowess, astute resource management, and honed combat skills. Will you lead your crew to salvation?

This coming week we have a AAA racing title coming for those that are into games which involve driving vehicles at dangerously high speeds. For those of you that prefer something else, we have space battles, RPGs, Will Smith, horror and theme park related games, although several of those titles seem to incorporate danger and high speeds as well.

F1 23 / This week's AAA title / Friday 16 June
Be the last to brake in EA SPORTS F1 23, the official videogame of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, featuring all the updated 2023 cars with the official F1 lineup of your favorite 20 drivers and 10 teams.

According to a new research report from the analyst firm Jon Peddie Research, unit shipments in the add-in board (AIB) market decreased in Q1 2023 by -12.6% and decreased by -38.2% year to year. Intel increased its add-in board market share by 2% during the first quarter.

The percentage of AIBs in desktop PCs is referred to as the attach rate. The attach rate grew from last quarter by 8% but was down -21% year to year. Approximately 6.3 million add-in boards shipped in Q1 2023. The market shares for the desktop discrete GPU suppliers shifted in the quarter, as AMD's market share remained flat from last quarter. Intel, which entered the AIB market in Q3'22 with the Arc A770 and A750, gained 2% in market share, while Nvidia retains its dominant position in the add-in board space with an 84% market share.

Paradox Interactive and developer Nimble Giant Entertainment, under license from Paramount Consumer Products, today revealed Star Trek: Infinite, a grand strategy game based on the iconic sci-fi franchise. Set a few decades before Star Trek: The Next Generation, players will run an entire fleet within the Star Trek universe, commanding one of four major powers in the galaxy: the United Federation of Planets, Romulan Star Empire, Cardassian Union, or Klingon Empire. Star Trek: Infinite is coming to PC and macOS this Fall.

Star Trek: Infinite puts players in command of one of four major powers in the galaxy, each with individualized traits, stories, quests, and more to make their play feel distinct. With stunning visuals, difficult choices, and unique gameplay, this game allows players to experience a beloved franchise in a new way as they navigate contact with other empires and worlds. "It is an honor to bring one of entertainment's most iconic properties to life for our players and Star Trek's multigenerational fanbase," said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. "We know how much this franchise means to fans all over the world, and we are working closely with Nimble Giant and Paramount Consumer Products to create a faithful and fulfilling game that lives up to their expectations."

Publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive are thrilled to reveal John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, coming in 2024 to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Epic Games Store. Tag team with up to four players in this intense first-person shooter and battle massive hordes of mutated monstrosities to eradicate a supernatural outbreak before it's too late.

Watch the exhilarating reveal trailer, which premiered at the Summer Game Fest live showcase, for a first taste of the title's over-the-top gameplay and John Carpenter-inspired '80s vibes, packed with tons of action, humor and horror. "We're happy to team up once again with our historical partner Saber," said John Bert, Managing Director at Focus Entertainment. "After World War Z, Space Marine 2, Insurgency, SnowRunner, and many others, Toxic Commando is a new entry into the successful long-term relationship between Focus and Saber. We cannot wait to unveil more about this new amazing IP created by the talented teams at Saber and leverage Focus' expertise in turning new franchises into worldwide hits."

Alphacool at Computex presented a few new products that highlighted what the company has been working on. First off, we have the Apex Stealth Metal fan among the latest products introduced by the brand, hailed as the world's first computer fan designed with entirely decoupled propellers, bearings, and motors from the chassis. The design minimizes both the vibration and the noise generated by the fan. The fan frame is constructed entirely of metal, showcasing the fresh Apex design. Additionally, it employs a 6-pole motor. The fan is touted as being silent due to its HDB (Hydro Dynamic Bearing) design. The fan blades are also fine-tuned to achieve maximum airflow and pressure, though specific details will still be released. The Apex Stealth Metal fan will be accessible in black, chrome, and white variants. Also in the pipeline is a unique variant called Alphacool ES Stealth Metal Fan Black, specifically designed for "Enterprise Solutions," featuring an integrated ventilation grill. The Apex Metal fan SKUs will be available for around $30 or less.

I am steeped in the culture of fighting games so it feels like destiny that I get to introduce you to a project that I'm so incredibly fortunate to have helped create.My journey with fighting games started with Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat 1 back in the 90s, and my love for the genre has been a relentless engine in my life ever since.

Over the years, this passion led me to the frontlines of the fighting game community (FGC)/esports scene. Traveling to tournaments such as EVO, Combo Breaker, CEO, Tokyo Game Show, and more, I've been fortunate to make a career of it as well as developing peripherals for major players in the FGC community near and far. It's in this spirit that I'm thrilled to finally unveil a project that we at Razer have been passionately crafting the arcade controller that's poised to redefine the world of fighting games: the Razer Kitsune.

AZZA, a leading manufacturer and provider of computer cases, power supplies, and PC components, presents new show-stopping cases and unveils a community project at Computex 2023. Starting off with the Sanctum 810, a spacious square glass enclosure with powerful airflow capabilities, and the Mesa 811 a stunning, asymmetrical clear-cut showpiece with individually removable glass and aluminium sheets.

The showcase also includes the Neo 500, a new mid-tower case with subtle front fans inside a chic mesh front panel, and Augment 510, a sturdy, premium aluminium enclosure encompassing mesh front and top panels. AZZA will officially unveil Design Beyond Limits, a community project that invites creatives to collaborate on creating a new case design. AZZA will be at Nangang Exhibition Hall 1, 4F booth no. L0401a from May 30th to June 2nd, 2023.

Capcom has kindly provided a new benchmarking tool for folks who are wondering whether their souped-up PC gaming rigs can run the upcoming seventh (not sixth, despite the title) main entry in the Street Fighter series with aplomb - the testing suite can be downloaded from here. The development team's introductory message states: "The Street Fighter 6 Benchmark Tool monitors gameplay on the Street Fighter 6 demo and calculates a score that indicates your PC's performance. The results of the benchmarking will be shown as follows, with a score of 91 or above demonstrating that your PC can play the game with ease."

The explanation continues: "If your PC does not meet the system requirements needed to run this benchmarking software, it may not launch properly. If that happens, please reconfirm that you satisfy the criteria listed on this page under System Requirements." Street Fighter 6 is arriving this Friday (June 2), so Capcom's benchmarking tool only gives a little bit of advanced notice - an unfortunate few who "cannot operate the game" (with a 0-30 score) will need to make necessary PC upgrades in time for launch day action. Or they could simply buy the bare minimum point of entry on console: a PlayStation 4 Slim or the cheapest current generation system - Xbox Series S.