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Lossless Scaling's Frame Generation Lands on Linux, Works on Steam Deck

The popular third-party upscaling tool, Lossless Scaling, previously exclusive to Windows, has been ported to Linux with the release of the open-source lsfg-vk project. Developed by PancakeTAS, lsfg-vk utilizes Vulkan and the DXVK translation layer to bring the frame generation feature of the paid Windows application to Linux desktops and handheld devices, such as the Steam Deck. Until now, Linux gamers relied on FidelityFX Super Resolution frame generation only in titles where it was natively available. The lsfg‑vk promises to extend artificial intermediate frames to nearly any game. Rather than depend on in‑game integration, lsfg‑vk intercepts DirectX 11 calls and reimplements the Lossless Scaling pipeline on top of Vulkan.

Rather than directly porting DX11 to Vulkan, the developer used DXVK to present a DX11 interface on Linux and hooked every shader load, allowing a bit-for-bit comparison between the original DXBC shaders and their SPIR-V counterparts. With shader fidelity verified, a combination of IDA‑based static analysis, custom C++ utilities to log DX11 commands, and careful file‑by‑file comparisons in WinMerge enabled reconstruction of the entire rendering pipeline on Linux. Finally, RenderDoc traces of Vulkan calls guided the implementation of a native Vulkan pipeline, complete with the required synchronization primitives. Additionally, automation scripts and a statically linked subset of DXVK allow users to install the project and enable frame generation simply by setting a single environment variable.

Steam Deck & Nintendo Switch Dominate Among Gamers Who Use Handhelds

TechPowerUp's team conducted research to find out how the market for handheld consoles performs and where its users are mostly going. The large community poll of 22,649 PC gamers, asking a simple "Do you game on a handheld console?" paints a solid picture of the customer base that a handheld console maker can expect. The majority, at 65.3% of the polled gamers, have chosen the option "No," indicating that two-thirds of PC gamers spend time on their main desktop or notebook PCs without using an additional handheld console. Among the 34.7% of respondents (7,852 votes) who game on the go, Valve's Steam Deck leads with 2,798 votes (35.6%), narrowly edging out Nintendo's Switch at 2,785 votes (35.5%).

ASUS's ROG Ally follows with 913 votes (11.6%), while "Other" devices, including Android emulators, retro‑focused units like the Analogue Pocket, and various mini‑PC handhelds, account for 810 votes (10.3%). Boutique Windows handhelds trail further behind, with the Lenovo Legion Go claiming 280 votes (3.6%) and the MSI Claw 266 votes (3.4%). Out of the entire fleet of these handhelds, only the Nintendo Switch is a real console. Others are mini portable PCs, which can serve functionality far beyond those of a console. Gamers are fond of the added functionality, which is why the Steam Deck, running Linux and Windows-based handhelds from ASUS, MSI, Lenovo, and others, are so popular.

NVIDIA's v580 Driver Branch Ends Support for Maxwell, Pascal, and Volta GPUs

NVIDIA has confirmed that its upcoming 580 driver series will be the final release to offer official updates for three of its older GPU architectures. In a recent update to its UNIX graphics deprecation schedule, the company noted that once version 580 ships, Maxwell-, Pascal-, and Volta-based products will no longer receive new drivers or patches. Although this announcement originates from NVIDIA's UNIX documentation, the unified driver codebase means Windows users will face the same cutoff. Owners of Maxwell-era GeForce GTX 700 and GTX 900 cards, Pascal's GeForce GTX 10 lineup, and the consumer-focused Volta TITAN V can expect their last set of performance optimizations and security fixes in the 580 branch.

NVIDIA further explains that ending support for these legacy chips allows its engineering teams to focus on newer hardware platforms. For example, Turing-based GeForce GTX 16 series cards will continue to receive updates beyond driver v580, ensuring gamers can benefit from the latest optimizations and stability improvements even on older platforms. First introduced between 2014 and 2017, Maxwell, Pascal, and Volta GPUs will have enjoyed eight to eleven years of official maintenance, among the longest support windows in the industry. While existing driver installations will remain operational, NVIDIA recommends that users who depend on these older cards begin planning upgrades to maintain full compatibility and access new features. At the time of this announcement, the public driver sits at version 576.80, and NVIDIA has not yet set a firm release date for the 580 series, leaving affected users a window of several months before support officially ends.

Windows 12 Delayed as Microsoft Prepares Windows 11 25H2 Update

Microsoft has quietly set aside plans for a standalone "Windows 12" release and will instead introduce its next major feature update as Windows 11 version 25H2 later this year. On Friday, the company confirmed that the latest Insider Preview build is now available for testers, with a broader rollout scheduled in the second half of 2025. From a technical perspective, version 25H2 builds on the same platform and servicing stack as the current 24H2 release. This shared‑branch strategy allows devices already running 24H2 to receive a small enablement package and then restart. The entire process is designed to feel no different from installing a routine monthly update, avoiding a lengthy reinstall. At this stage, the 25H2 preview offers the same feature set that appeared in the 24H2 Beta Channel.

Microsoft has explained that upcoming enhancements are already staged within the 24H2 branch in a disabled state. As each feature reaches maturity, its code will be bundled into the monthly cumulative updates for 24H2 and then activated via the enablement package, following the model first introduced with Windows 10 version 1909. As official support for Windows 10 ends in October 2025, launching version 25H2 in the September-October window could encourage any remaining Windows 10 users to upgrade. Enterprises and educational institutions will benefit from a renewed 36-month support cycle, while consumer editions will gain 24 months of servicing. Microsoft has not yet provided an exact date for general availability, but Windows Insiders can begin exploring the 25H2 preview today and submit feedback. When the update becomes widely available, users can perform a simple restart to activate Windows 11 version 25H2.

XMG EVO 14: 14-inch Ultrabook Updated with AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series

The first model update for XMG's ultrabooks, originally introduced last year, is now underway. Leading the way is the XMG EVO 14, which will be available with three different AMD Ryzen AI processors, including the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. The 1.45 kg laptop features a brighter 1800p display, now offering 500 nits compared to the previous 400 nits. Other highlights include an 80 Wh battery, a dual-fan cooling system and a wide range of external connectivity options. Like its predecessor, the EVO 14 continues to rely on upgradeable, plugged-in SSDs and DDR5 RAM modules - now configurable with up to 128 GB of memory.

Launched in 2024, the EVO series marked XMG's first ultrabooks to forgo a dedicated graphics unit in favour of an efficient integrated graphics solution. The 14-inch model is the first to receive an update: the XMG EVO 14 (E25) is now available with a choice of three AMD processors. Alongside AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 cores, 24 threads), XMG is offering the compact 311 x 220 x 17 mm, 1.45 kg ultrabook with either the Ryzen AI 9 365 (10 cores, 20 threads) or Ryzen AI 7 350 (8 cores, 16 threads). These options also differ in their integrated graphics: with 16 compute units, the iGPU in the HX 370 delivers the highest 3D performance for accelerating content creation applications or enabling entry-level gaming.

Microsoft Adds Steam Library to Xbox PC App on Windows

Microsoft is letting Xbox Insiders try out a new library in the Xbox PC app on Windows that brings together games from Steam, Battle.net, Xbox, and Game Pass in one central spot. Once you install a supported title, it automatically shows up in your library and in the recent games list, so you don't have to hunt through different launchers. You can also hide any storefront you don't use in the app's settings to keep your view clean. Before the holidays, Microsoft will roll this feature out to handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, so you can carry your entire collection on the go. Over time, more PC storefronts will be added, making the Xbox PC app an even more complete hub for your games. To get started, just download the Xbox Insider Hub on your PC, join the PC gaming preview, and you'll see the combined library appear in your Xbox app.

Microsoft Partners with AMD for Next-gen Xbox Hardware

Microsoft has confirmed it's developing a next-gen Xbox console with AMD as Xbox president Sarah Bond shared this news in a 60-second YouTube video promising to offer "an Xbox experience not tied to one store or limited to a single device." Bond announced Microsoft is teaming up with AMD for a "strategic multi-year partnership." This collaboration will involve co-engineering silicon "across a range of devices, including our next-generation Xbox consoles for your living room and your hands." The two companies will also join forces to build the next generation of Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft is making it crystal clear that its next-gen Xbox platform will focus on multiple devices and won't be tied to its own store for games.

"This is all about creating a gaming platform that stays with you so you can enjoy the games you like on different devices wherever you want—giving you an Xbox experience not restricted to one store or linked to a single device," Bond explains. "That's why we're working with the Windows team to make sure Windows becomes the top platform for gaming". This comes right after Microsoft announcement of its partnership with ASUS to roll out two Xbox Ally handhelds in the coming months. These devices will feature a new full-screen Xbox interface running on Windows allowing Xbox Ally devices to access other platforms like Steam.

Update Jun 19th: AMD comments on Microsoft partnership (YouTube video included)

Microsoft Breaks Windows Hello: Darkness Is Now Its Enemy

Microsoft has updated Windows Hello facial recognition to require a compatible color camera, in addition to infrared sensors, for user sign-in. Although this change was announced in April's Patch Tuesday release (KB5055523), many users only noticed the impact when their devices stopped authenticating in dark environments. Previously, Hello relied solely on IR sensors to capture a three-dimensional facial scan, enabling secure logins even in minimal lighting conditions. Microsoft says the new requirement addresses a spoofing vulnerability discovered earlier this year by ensuring that a visible image from the color camera accompanies the IR scan. Early reports have been mixed: some outlets confirm Hello no longer works in darkness, while others find that the glow of a laptop screen can suffice to illuminate the user's face.

A practical workaround involves disabling the color webcam in Device Manager, which forces Hello to revert to IR‑only authentication and restores dark‑room functionality. Disabling the webcam for video calls is not practical for everyone, particularly for those who need to attend mandatory daily meetings, especially in corporate settings. Fortunately, Windows Hello provides alternative sign-in options. Users can choose to sign in with a PIN, password, or fingerprint, all of which allow for quick and secure access without depending on facial recognition in low-light conditions.

AYANEO Intros FLIP 1S Dual-Screen Gaming Handheld with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

"Real Gamers, Know Gamers", AYANEO has been exploring more possibilities for game handhelds. The evolution of the handheld experience goes beyond performance and also involves breakthroughs and innovations in form. AYANEO has created the first flip dual-screen Windows handheld - AYANEO FLIP DS, making innovation within reach. With User Experience at the core, we continuously improve every creative idea and detail to present a more pure and immersive dual-screen gaming experience. Now, the new generation of flip dual-screen Windows handheld, AYANEO FLIP 1S DS, is officially unveiled. It is not only a comprehensive upgrade of the FLIP DS but also a tribute to the classic feelings. Combining hardware upgrades, AI computing power, dual-screen interactive experience, and flagship-level performance, the FLIP 1S DS is not only a flagship flip handheld but also a productivity tool that combines portability and efficiency.

The FLIP 1S DS is equipped with a fully upgraded 7-inch 1080p OLED main screen that supports a high refresh rate of 144 Hz. The maximum global brightness reaches 800 nits, and the contrast and response speed are greatly improved, bringing users a more vivid, smoother and more immersive visual experience for handheld games. Whether it is a tense and exciting FPS game or a colorful adventure in another world, this screen can present it with extremely delicate image quality and smooth dynamics, giving players an immersive visual experience.

NVIDIA's Arm-Based Gaming SoC to Debut in Alienware Laptops

NVIDIA plans to introduce its first Arm-based "N1/N1x" gaming SoC in Dell's Alienware laptops later this year or early 2026, according to Taiwanese reports. The SoC is being developed with MediaTek, combining an Arm-derived CPU core and NVIDIA's Blackwell GPU architecture. Early rumors suggest that NVIDIA's new SoC will operate within an 80 W to 120 W power range, positioning it among existing high-performance laptop chips. When Qualcomm entered the Arm-based laptop design market with its Snapdragon X-series, it faced challenges because many titles required emulation through Microsoft's Prism framework, leading to compatibility issues and lower frame rates on Arm-based Windows devices. NVIDIA plans to work closely with Microsoft and game developers to ensure that Arm compatibility is present from day one, so every Arm SoC maker will benefit.

Rumors of an Arm-centric NVIDIA chip first appeared in 2023, and recent leaks suggest an engineering prototype already exists. During an earnings presentation earlier this year, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang announced that the company plans to integrate Arm CPU blocks into AI-oriented hardware, specifically mentioning the Digits compute system. Dell's CEO, Michael Dell, also hinted at a future AI-capable PC collaboration with NVIDIA, fueling speculation that Alienware will be the first to use the new chip. Beyond gaming, the partnership with MediaTek could lead to broader Arm solutions for both desktops and mobile devices. MediaTek is reportedly working on its own Arm-based PC processors, and AMD is exploring Arm architectures for future Surface devices. NVIDIA's entry into this space could turn Dell's Alienware laptops into a practical testbed for high-performance Arm technology in a market long dominated by x86 workforce.

Steam Survey: Linux Hits 2.69% Gamer Market Share in May

Valve released its latest May 2025 Steam Survey results, and Linux gaming is on the rise. According to Valve, the usage of Linux kernel-based operating systems among Steam users increased by 0.42% to reach 2.69%, marking one of the highest levels the platform has seen. Windows remains the dominant operating system, at 95.45%, with macOS holding 1.85%. However, Linux's growth is significant for open-source enthusiasts. Given the continued expansion of Steam's user base, the absolute number of Linux gamers is likely at an all-time high now, with hopes of continued growth. The infamous year of Linux on the desktop is actually this year's Linux on handheld. In May 2023, Linux accounted for just 1.47 percent of Steam users, rising to 2.32 percent in May 2024 before this latest increase.

This upward trend has been driven in large part by Valve's SteamOS, which is based on Arch Linux and powers the popular Steam Deck handheld console. As more people adopt the Steam Deck and install SteamOS on desktop machines, the Linux gaming community on Steam continues to grow steadily. SteamOS is also expanding to more handheld devices, and more companies are launching and experimenting with handhelds using other Linux distributions. Improvements at the kernel level and enhanced driver support from AMD and Intel have also contributed to this surge. Besides more driver optimization, the Wine-based compatibility layer, Proton, has undergone numerous updates to enhance performance and stability, often achieving comparability with and sometimes outperforming Windows.

Microsoft Details New Windows 11 Update System To Manage App Updates in Addition to Windows Systems and Drivers

Since the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft has seemingly had ambitions to consolidate as much control over what gets installed on your PC as possible. A perfect example of this is the push towards using the Microsoft Store to install programs instead of relying on .exe files. The company's latest move in this direction sees Windows start handling more than just system updates. Notably, it seems as though Microsoft is planning to use this new system alongside the Store instead of as a replacement for it. These plans come in spite of Windows updates continuing to cause BSOD issues as recently as April.

According to a Microsoft blog on the topic, Windows will soon start handling everything from driver and firmware updates to app updates. Microsoft explains that the current update and management platforms lead to a fragmented ecosystem: "Updates across the Windows ecosystem can feel like a fragmented experience for IT admins managing applications that have their own update orchestrators (e.g., line of business) and commercial management tools that handle their own download, install, restart, and notifications today," adding that the way things are currently handled causes a number of issues, including CPU and network usage spikes, increased support costs, and a poor user experience due to "confusing or conflicting notifications." Microsoft aims to address this by introducing what it calls the Windows Update orchestration platform.

AMD Ryzen 9000G APUs Appear in Gigabyte AM5 Motherboard Leak

It seems as though an official international launch for the elusive AMD Ryzen 9000G APUs might still be on the cards for later this year, after all. While an announcement was expected at Computex 2025, along with a full-scale retail launch later this year, AMD was suspiciously quiet about its CPUs at the electronics trade show. Now, it looks as though Gigabyte has seemingly started preparing its B650 motherboard line-up for the arrival of AMD's Ryzen 9000G APUs.

On Gigabyte's B650 Gaming motherboard memory compatibility page, the hardware maker seems to have replaced any mention of Ryzen 9000 series CPUs with "Ryzen 9000 G-series CPUs," altogether. It's unclear whether this change means the same memory compatibility table will apply for both AMD Ryzen 9000 and 9000G CPUs, but that seems to be the case. At any rate, this leak suggests that previous rumors claiming a Q4 launch may have been correct. Those same leaks suggested that the Ryzen 9000G APUs would feature AMD Zen 5 CPU cores paired with AMD RDNA 3.5 iGPUs, with the top-spec iGPU likely being capable of running at least some lighter-weight games and e-sports titles. As it stands, the iGPUs found in recent AMD Ryzen CPUs are merely there for basic video output and diagnostic purposes, while the G-series APUs are generally intended for use without a dedicated GPU. It seems reasonable to expect AMD to launch at least one variant in the AMD Ryzen 9000G APU series equipped with the Radeon 890M, which also powers some of the most popular Windows gaming handhelds on the market.

Preparing Windows for the Quantum Age: Microsoft Hardens Windows 11 Preview with New Encryption

To defend regular users from bad actors wielding quantum computing power like Majorana 1, Windows 11 Insider Preview now includes built-in support for post-quantum cryptography (PQC), giving developers and security teams early access to algorithms designed to withstand the capabilities of future quantum computers. Available in Canary Channel Build 27852 and above, this update integrates two new schemes, ML-KEM for key exchange and ML-DSA for digital signatures, directly into the Cryptography API: Next Generation (CNG) and certificate management functions. ML-KEM addresses the "harvest now, decrypt later" threat model, in which adversaries collect encrypted data today to decrypt it once quantum hardware has advanced. Microsoft offers three levels of ML-KEM security: a Level 1 option that produces 800-byte ciphertexts and a 32-byte shared secret; a Level 3 configuration with 1,184-byte ciphertexts and the same 32-byte secret; and a Level 5 tier that increases ciphertext size to 1,568 bytes while keeping the shared secret at 32 bytes. These parameter sets allow organizations to balance performance and protection according to their threat models and operational requirements.

Endorfy Shows New Celeris 1800 Keyboard With Unique SideTune Feature, Future V2 Versions of Thock Keyboards

The centerpiece of Endorfy's Computex 2025 showcase was certainly the new Celeris 1800 keyboard, which debuted back at the CES 2025 show in January, but is now ready to be launched. Endorfy also unveiled its future V2 versions of the well-known Thock keyboard series, including TKL, 75%, and Compact versions.

The Celeris 1800 is Endorfy's way of rethinking the full-sized 100-keys keyboard with numpad, while retaining the compact layout. It uses Endorfy Yellow factory-lubed switches made by Gateron, has a dual-layer silicone padding to eliminate vibrations and noise, and a FR4 top plate. It supports Bluetooth, a 2.4 GHz wireless, or USB cable connectivity, and even has a switch that let switch between Windows or macOS, with three macOS-specific keycaps included. What makes the Celeris 1800 special is the SideTune feature, small buttons located on the side of the keyboard which are inspired by smartphones, allowing you to control audio, volume, brightness, or any custom macros. The other side of the keyboard comes with switches that allows you to switch between Windows and macOS mode and connectivity options. Endorfy is targeting $99 price tag when it becomes available later this year.

NVIDIA and Microsoft Advance Development on RTX AI PCs

Generative AI is transforming PC software into breakthrough experiences - from digital humans to writing assistants, intelligent agents and creative tools. NVIDIA RTX AI PCs are powering this transformation with technology that makes it simpler to get started experimenting with generative AI and unlock greater performance on Windows 11. NVIDIA TensorRT has been reimagined for RTX AI PCs, combining industry-leading TensorRT performance with just-in-time, on-device engine building and an 8x smaller package size for seamless AI deployment to more than 100 million RTX AI PCs.

Announced at Microsoft Build, TensorRT for RTX is natively supported by Windows ML - a new inference stack that provides app developers with both broad hardware compatibility and state-of-the-art performance. For developers looking for AI features ready to integrate, NVIDIA software development kits (SDKs) offer a wide array of options, from NVIDIA DLSS to multimedia enhancements like NVIDIA RTX Video. This month, top software applications from Autodesk, Bilibili, Chaos, LM Studio and Topaz Labs are releasing updates to unlock RTX AI features and acceleration.

Acer Unveils Creator-Worthy Swift X Duo with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs

Acer today announced new models in its Swift X laptop series, the Swift X 14 AI and Swift X 14, designed to offer professionals and content creators reliable performance and a suite of AI tools to enhance their creative endeavors. Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors, the Swift X 14 AI enables seamless on-device rendering, modeling, and real-time visualization. This new Copilot+ PC is equipped to handle demanding AI workloads and offers exclusive AI experiences such as Recall (preview), Click to Do (preview), and improved Windows search, Cocreator, Live Captions, Image Creator, and Windows Studio Effects. The new Swift X 14 creator laptop ensures responsive performance for demanding creative workflows and all-day battery life powered by Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2).

Both laptops are powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPUs with NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and also feature Calman-verified 3K OLED touch displays that are calibrated to produce captivating and accurate colors right out of the box.

Microsoft Forces Automatic Windows 11 24H2 Update on Pro and Home PCs

Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 11 version 24H2 update is now in its final rollout phase and will soon be delivered automatically to millions of Home and Pro users around the world. As of May 2, 2025, any unmanaged device running Windows 11 versions 21H2, 22H2, or 23H2—or even Windows 10—will see the 2024 Update download in the background. After the download completes, users can choose when to install the update or postpone it by going to Settings, then Windows Update. This release introduces a variety of useful improvements. File Explorer search has become more intuitive, the Clock app now includes focus sessions to help you stay on task, and Snap Layouts provide greater flexibility when organizing open windows. If you own a Copilot+ PC, you will continue to receive additional AI‑powered features in stages; these releases start within the Windows Insider community and may differ depending on your device's processor and region.

Although automatic delivery makes it easier to stay current, devices with limited storage may struggle if the update files consume too much space. To avoid disruptions, Windows Update offers a four‑week postponement option. Should you need more time, you can use command‑line tools or adjust local policies to stop or block the update permanently. Microsoft has published a detailed list of known issues and safeguard holds alongside the rollout information. For example, Azure Virtual Desktop users who experienced App Attach failures will see those problems fixed, and Remote Desktop freezes caused by the January 2025 preview update have been resolved. At the same time, devices running certain Dirac Audio drivers, sprotect.sys applications, or outdated Easy Anti‑Cheat or Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers will not receive the update until compatible versions become available. Some wallpaper customization and camera‑dependent apps may also encounter temporary glitches while patches are prepared. IT administrators looking for programmatic access to update health data can use the Windows Updates API in Microsoft Graph. For immediate assistance with update issues, open the Get Help app or visit the Microsoft Support website.

Microsoft Launches Recall and Integrates AI into Search, Plus Other Updates

Microsoft has deployed three AI features to Copilot+ PCs through the Windows 11 April 2025 non-security preview update. Users can finally access the long-promised Recall, Click to Do, and enhanced Windows Search by enabling "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" in Settings > Windows Update. Recall operates as a background capture system that takes periodic screenshots, encrypts them via the device's TPM chip, and stores them locally. The system creates a searchable index organized by keywords, dates, and applications. Privacy controls include Windows Hello authentication for settings changes, app-specific exclusions, customizable retention periods, and snapshot deletion options. Windows E3 enterprise deployments can implement Group Policy controls for centralized management.

Click to Do functions at the window manager level, activated by Win + Click or touchscreen right swipe. The context-aware tool provides different capabilities based on content type, offering summarization and translation for text, and background removal and editing for images. Image processing works across all Copilot+ hardware, while text functionality currently supports only Snapdragon processors, with AMD Ryzen AI 300-series and Intel Core Ultra 200V compatibility scheduled for later release. The updated Windows Search implements a compact language model running directly on the device's NPU. This enables natural-language queries throughout Windows interfaces, allowing users to find content without exact filenames. The system operates on NPUs rated at over 40 TOPS and delivers 70 percent faster retrieval than Windows 10.

Lenovo Introduces New ThinkPad Mobile Workstations and Business Laptops Designed for the AI-Ready Workforce

Lenovo today unveiled a refreshed portfolio of ThinkPad devices engineered to meet the evolving needs of modern professionals—from content creators and engineers to knowledge workers and hybrid teams. The lineup includes powerful Copilot+ PCs, such as the ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 AMD and ThinkPad P16s Gen 4 AMD mobile workstations, alongside new ThinkPad L Series business laptops and expands its ThinkPad X1 Aura Editions, delivering the performance, manageability, and intelligence today's AI-powered workflows demand.

Together, these latest ThinkPad systems reflect Lenovo's commitment to delivering smarter, more adaptive solutions that support advanced workloads, sustainability goals, and flexible work models—whether users are building complex simulations or collaborating across teams.

Windows 11 April Update Triggers BSOD, Breaks Windows Hello

Ever since people installed Microsoft's April cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 (KB5055523), many have been greeted by a blue screen showing error code 0x18B and the message SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR. What started as a few scattered reports after March's KB5053656 and KB5053598 patches quickly became a widespread frustration once the April release went live. Some PCs reboot every minute or two, while others refuse to start up at all. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem in an updated support notice and is rolling out a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to strip out the offending code. Home users should see the fix applied automatically within 24 hours, though you can speed things along by signing back in after a crash, opening Settings > Update & Security, and checking for updates up to five times. The rollback won't appear in your update history, but it will install quietly in the background.

IT teams don't need to wait, either. Administrators can push the KIR patch via Group Policy, and full instructions are available on Microsoft's support site. While the company hasn't detailed exactly what triggers the SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR or how often it occurs, a permanent correction is set to arrive in a future monthly update. In addition to the blue screens and reboot loops, some users have reported that Windows Hello facial recognition and fingerprint login stopped working. The quick workaround is removing and reconfiguring your biometric credentials. However, a complete repair is expected in May. After installing April's update, you may also notice a new "Inetpub" folder on your C: drive. This directory is the default home for Internet Information Services web files, and Microsoft confirms it was created on purpose to support optional web‑hosting features. If you haven't enabled IIS, the folder will sit unused and doesn't pose any risk, so avoid deleting it to prevent potential errors if you choose to turn those services on later. In the meantime, keep Windows Updates checked for any new patches.

Qualcomm's Upcoming Snapdragon X2 Elite PC to Get a 22% Performance Boost

Qualcomm aims to boost the performance of its Windows‑on‑Arm PC chips by about 18-22% percent with the next‑generation Snapdragon X2 processors. That estimate comes from Focused Digital, a well‑known Chinese blogger often leaks supply‑chain details. He says these new Snapdragon X2 chips will hit boost clocks of around 4.40 GHz, which is up from the 4.0 to 4.30 GHz range we see on today's Snapdragon X Elite models. Currently, those Elite chips use Oryon cores built on the TSMC 4 nm‑class N4P process. They run between 3.0 and 3.80 GHz at base and can turbo up to 4.30 GHz. So, simply cranking the top speed up another 100 MHz could explain a chunk of that performance jump. Beyond clocks, Qualcomm is probably squeezing more efficiency out of its Oryon V3 microarchitecture too, though we don't have details yet.

We also don't know exactly which process node Qualcomm will pick. They could stick with a refined 4 nm variant or switch to 3 nm later on. Either way, a roughly 20 percent improvement aligns with what you'd expect from a new generation of chips due in 2025. Another rumor floating around is that the X2 Elite series will jump from 12 to 18 cores, giving the processors more parallel horsepower. Internal test rigs reportedly pair these chips with up to 48 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1 TB of NVMe storage. Qualcomm rolled out its first Snapdragon X Elite processors in mid‑2024 and began testing the SC8480XP prototype in September 2024. If these performance figures hold up, the new Snapdragon X2 lineup could close the gap on x86 competitors and set Qualcomm up nicely for competing in stronger with a push in the PC segment by 2026.

ASUS Announces Latest ExpertBook P1 Laptop Models

ASUS today announced the latest additions to its comprehensive range of business laptops - ExpertBook P1 (PM1403 and PM1503). Aimed at administrators and budget-conscious professionals who require essential computing services without compromise, and available in 14-inch or 15.6-inch FHD options, the new ExpertBook P1 models blend effective performance with everyday functionality, housed in a practical design that delivers where it counts. The compact and elegant ExpertBook P1 series starts at a lightweight 1.4 kg and features an elegant new design that unlocks impressive efficiency to supercharge daily productivity, empowered by Copilot in Windows - quickly accessed via a single tap of the dedicated Copilot key.

The new ExpertBook P1 laptops are engineered for superb performance, powered by up to an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and offering up to 1 TB of storage with up to dual SSDs for fast operation. They also feature a built-in fingerprint sensor and TPM 2.0 chip to protect privacy and business data - ensuring that ExpertBook P1 is a trusted, reliable traveling companion for modern workflows.

AMD Launches ROCm 6.4 with Technical Upgrades, Still no Support for RDNA 4

AMD officially released ROCm 6.4, its latest open‑source GPU compute stack, bringing several under‑the‑hood improvements while still lacking official RDNA 4 support. The update improves compatibility between ROCm's user‑space libraries and the AMDKFD kernel driver, making it easier to run across a wider range of Linux kernels. AMD has also expanded its internal testing to cover more combinations of user and kernel versions, which should reduce integration headaches for HPC and AI workloads. On the framework side, ROCm 6.4 now supports PyTorch 2.5 and 2.6 out of the box, so developers can use the latest deep‑learning features without building from source. The Megatron‑LM integration adds three new fused kernels, Attention (QKV), Layer Norm, and ROPE, to speed up transformer model training by combining multiple operations into single GPU passes. Video decoding gets a boost, too, with VP9 support in both rocDecode and rocPyDecode, plus a new bitstream reader module to streamline media pipelines.

Oracle Linux 9 is now officially supported, and the Radeon PRO W7800 48 GB workstation card has been validated under ROCm. AMD also enabled CPX mode with NPS4 memory configurations, catering to advanced memory bandwidth scenarios on MI Instinct accelerators. Despite these updates, ROCm 6.4 still does not officially support RDNA 4 GPUs, such as the RX 9070 series. While community members report that the new release can run on those cards unofficially, the lack of formal enablement means RDNA 4's doubled FP16 throughput, eight times INT4 sparsity acceleration, and FP8 capabilities remain largely untapped in ROCm workflows. On Linux, consumer Radeon support is limited to just a few models, even though Windows coverage for RDNA 2 and 3 families has expanded since 2022. With AMD's "Advancing AI" event coming in June, many developers are hoping for an announcement about RDNA 4 integration. Until then, those who need guaranteed, day‑one GPU support may continue to look at alternative ecosystems.

AYASpace 3.0 Beta Upgrade Supports the Full Range of AYANEO Windows Handheld Devices

As a pioneer in self-developed software for Windows handhelds, AYANEO has always adhered to integrated hardware and software development, continuously delivering exceptional user experiences that exceed gamers' expectations. Today, the highly acclaimed handheld management software AYASpace 3.0 has launched a newly upgraded beta version. Not only does it offer deep optimization and exclusive features for the modular flagship device AYANEO 3, but it also provides comprehensive support for all released AYANEO Windows handhelds and Mini PCs, including the FLIP, SLIDE, KUN, 2S, 2, GEEK, and AIR series. Gamers are welcome to upgrade and experience these enhancements while supporting AYANEO's software optimization with their valuable feedback!

AYASpace 3.0: The Era of All-in-One Intelligent Control Begins
AYASpace 3.0 has been completely upgraded in terms of interface design and functional logic, achieving dual improvements in "modern aesthetics" and "high-performance efficiency":The UI interaction has been fully optimized, with a new "Device" section added. Quick-access features have made a complete return, and the keyboard/mouse mode has been reconstructed.
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