Microsoft is introducing Windows 365 Link, a compact cloud PC for business users. The device costs $349 and measures just 120 x 120 x 30 mm, making it smaller than Apple's Mac mini. The compact size comes from the fanless cooling design and the fact that the device doesn't have local storage capabilities. This small computer has quite a variety of connectivity options, including one USB-C, three USB-A ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, and Ethernet connections, supports two 4K monitors, and has Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E wireless capabilities. The specific hardware details are not yet revealed by Microsoft.

It requires Windows 365 with Microsoft Intune and Entra ID, and it works with 365 Frontline, Enterprise, and Business editions. As with other cloud-based solutions, Microsoft will lock some of the security options, "features like Secure Boot, the dedicated Trusted Platform Module, Hypervisor Code Integrity, BitLocker encryption, and the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint detection and response sensor can't be turned off, further helping to secure the device". Microsoft plans to launch the device in April 2025, with early previews in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Businesses interested in testing the device can contact their Microsoft account team before December 15, 2024, to join the preview program.

Microsoft's Windows-on-Arm (WoA) project has been going through an expansion phase, with the recent range of Snapdragon X SoCs powering many laptops. However, as we are about to get bombed with WoA devices in 2025, Microsoft has prepared an official ISO image of the Windows 11 operating system, available for users to download on the official website. The download size is about 5 GB and requires an Arm-based system to work, as expected. The need for Windows 11 ISO image for WoA comes from the increased number of desktop builds shipped to developers worldwide based on Arm. There are many workstations like the ones offered by ODMs, with an Ampere Altra or Altra Max processor inside.

This is also good news for enthusiasts waiting for the NVIDIA-MediaTek collaboration to drop its first goodies next year, and we expect to see some interesting solutions arise. With Microsoft investing its developer resources into producing Windows 11 Arm builds, it signals that the adoption of Arm-based devices is about to get much higher interest from the consumer standpoint.

Suppose you were following the announcement of the newest Windows 11 features like Recall and Copilot. In that case, you questioned Microsoft's approach to these new features regarding security, real-world usage, and, least likely, naming scheme. If the latter is the case, you are in for a treat. According to the latest round of reports, Microsoft is reportedly preparing to converge its AI features under a new brand name—Windows Intelligence. This move comes as the tech giant expands its AI integration across the Windows platform to give customers more reassurance in its AI features. However, the company has yet to confirm the official rebranding initiative. Recent discoveries by tech enthusiasts have fueled speculation about this upcoming change. In October, researcher Tero Alhonen uncovered options for AI-enabled applications, while X user Albacore recently spotted a placeholder settings page for Windows Intelligence in a Windows 24H2 build.

"Windows Intelligence" isn't entirely new to Microsoft's ecosystem, as it was previously used in security-related updates. However, this broader application signals a shift from its earlier security-focused context and appears to replace the "Windows AI" designation spotted in Group Policy earlier this year. The rebranding seems to follow a trend set by Apple, which has branded its AI features as "Apple Intelligence." However, Microsoft's approach with "Windows Intelligence" suggests a focus on creating a unified hub for AI features within its operating system rather than just a clever play on the "AI" acronym. While controversial features like Recall and the recently redesigned Copilot are expected to retain their current branding, Windows Intelligence could serve as an overarching framework for managing AI permissions and data usage across the platform.

The battles of operating systems continue, and one fight is internal to the Microsoft Windows user base. Recent data from StatCounter shows that Windows 11 now accounts for 35.58% of Windows installations as of October 2024, recording a modest 3% increase. Meanwhile, Windows 10 continues to power most Windows computers, with a 61% market share. The gradual shift toward Windows 11 comes as Microsoft pushes software updates and hardware partnerships. Large organizations have begun adopting the newer OS, drawn to its updated security features. These include mandatory secure boot protocols and improved protection against credential theft, addressing growing cybersecurity concerns. For individual users, Windows 11 offers updated gaming capabilities through DirectStorage and a redesigned interface. However, many still prefer Windows 10's established stability and broader compatibility with existing hardware and software. Microsoft's recent announcement of a $30 yearly Extended Security Updates subscription acknowledges this divide.

Starting in October 2025, when Windows 10's standard support ends, users can purchase these updates to maintain security protections. Unlike previous programs restricted to business customers, this subscription will be available to all users. The move to Windows 11 faces a significant hurdle: strict system requirements that exclude many older computers. While these standards aim to ensure better performance and security, they effectively prevent many current Windows 10 users from upgrading. Microsoft's plan to add new AI features like Recall and Copilot to Windows 11 could attract more users. Still, the transition largely depends on hardware replacement cycles and users' willingness to adapt to a new system. As Microsoft manages both operating systems, its strategy reflects the challenge of maintaining existing Windows 10 installations while encouraging gradual migration to Windows 11.

Microsoft will allow home users to extend security support for Windows 10 beyond its October 2025 end-of-life date for a $30 fee per year. This marks the first time the Redmond giant has offered such an option to individual consumers, as extended security updates were previously available only to business and education customers. While the extension will maintain essential security patches, users won't receive new features, bug fixes, or technical support from Microsoft. This decision affects millions of Windows 10 users worldwide who may be unable or unwilling to upgrade to Windows 11, either due to hardware limitations or personal preference. While Microsoft strongly encourages users to transition to Windows 11, which offers enhanced security features and AI capabilities, many older computers don't meet the newer operating system's stricter hardware requirements.

The company will begin enrollment for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program closer to the 2025 deadline. Microsoft will also continue providing Security Intelligence Updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus through at least October 2028, offering an additional layer of protection for Windows 10 users. This move can be interpreted as Microsoft's acknowledgment of the significant number of users still running Windows 10 and the potential security risks of leaving them unprotected. Using an ESU package from an official source like Microsoft is always better than sourcing them from third-party like 0patch offers, and it is a welcome addition for millions of PCs running Windows 10 today.

AMD has unveiled its latest chipset driver update 6.10.17.152, bringing new features and improvements to enhance system performance and compatibility, along with support for X870E / X870 chipsets. The release introduces expanded program support and optimized Windows 11 integration through CETCOMPACT implementation across select drivers, a security feature that helps protect against certain types of malware attacks by enforcing Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET) in a compatible mode for legacy software. This technology ensures better security while maintaining compatibility with existing applications.

The update comes with several bug fixes addressing previous version issues. However, users should be aware of certain limitations that are currently present in this release. Some driver names may appear in English when running on non-English operating systems, users might encounter instances where the uninstall summary incorrectly displays a "Failed" status despite successful removal, and some users may experience installation or upgrade issues related explicitly to Ryzen PPKG. AMD recommends users backup their systems before updating and follow the standard installation procedures, with the company maintaining dedicated technical support resources through their customer service portal for users requiring additional assistance.

DOWNLOAD: AMD Chipset Drivers 6.10.17.152

Hot on the heels of Gigabyte, ASUS has also put its Thunderbolt 5 card up on its website, although there are some differences between the two. Obviously the physical appearance differs somewhat, but that's largely cosmetic. However, the one key difference is that the ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 only sports a single 6-pin PCIe power connector. ASUS still claims USB PD support of up to 130 W—a feature the company calls Flexible FastCharge—however, a single USB Type-C port is limited to a maximum of 96 W, which means you can charge your MacBook Pro at full tilt, but not some other laptops. Admittedly the 4 W discrepancy compared to the Gigabyte card is fairly minor, but the second port gets left with only 34 W, although that's still enough for charging most phones. Oddly enough, ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 card, allowed for up to 100 W on a single port.

ASUS has also implemented a single Thunderbolt 5 pin-header for the GPIO, SPI I2C and UART interfaces, plus a standard USB 2.0 header, for adding USB 2.0 support to the Thunderbolt 5 ports. Just as with the Gigabyte card, we find Intel's JHL9580 Thunderbolt 5 controller at the heart of the card and once again it uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and supports up to three DP 2.1 8K displays at 60 Hz, although ASUS mentions that this requires DSC. The card features three mini DP inputs and comes with three DP to mini DP adapters, as well as the two aforementioned USB Type-C ports. Note that if you use tree displays, you can only use two Thunderbolt devices with the card. ASUS only mentions Windows 11 64-bit support, so it looks like Windows 10 won't be getting a driver and so far it would seem neither is Linux.

Lenovo Group announced today the Lenovo ThinkSmart Core Gen 2, one of the first AI-optimized compute device purpose built to run video conferencing room systems. Powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor with an integrated NPU, the ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 is ready for AI-heavy meeting room workloads to deliver unparalleled performance for intuitive collaboration and enhanced productivity, all in a protected and user-friendly solution.

Smarter AI for All Means Smarter Collaboration
Under Lenovo's vision of Smarter AI for All, the company is dedicated to empowering organizations and individuals to put AI to work for them. While the role of collaboration technology has never been more critical, many customers are continuing to redefine meeting spaces and how work is done. The integration of AI into collaboration tools presents a transformative opportunity to connect people and improve productivity. Lenovo, the global leader in PCs, is bringing more compute power to collaboration.

Today, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) announced its third generation commercial AI mobile processors, designed specifically to transform business productivity with Copilot+ features including live captioning and language translation in conference calls and advanced AI image generators. The new Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series processors deliver industry-leading AI compute, with up to three times the AI performance than the previous generation, and offer uncompromising performance for everyday workloads. Enabled with AMD PRO Technologies, the Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series processors offer world-class security and manageability features designed to streamline IT operations and ensure exceptional ROI for businesses.

Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series processors feature new AMD "Zen 5" architecture, delivering outstanding CPU performance, and are the world's best line up of commercial processors for Copilot+ enterprise PCs. Laptops equipped with Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series processors are designed to tackle business' toughest workloads, with the top-of-stack Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 offering up to 40% higher performance and up to 14% faster productivity performance compared to Intel's Core Ultra 7 165U. With the addition of XDNA 2 architecture powering the integrated NPU, AMD Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series processors offer a cutting-edge 50+ NPU TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) of AI processing power, exceeding Microsoft's Copilot+ AI PC requirements and delivering exceptional AI compute and productivity capabilities for the modern business. Built on a 4 nm process and with innovative power management, the new processors deliver extended battery life ideal for sustained performance and productivity on the go.

YEYIAN GAMING, a leading innovator in high-performance gaming systems, today announced the launch of 12 new gaming PCs powered by the latest INTEL CORE ULTRA Series 2 Processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series graphics cards, setting a new standard for gaming performance.

Frank Lee, Vice President of YEYIAN GAMING, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with INTEL, stating, "Our collaboration with INTEL has allowed us to create some of the most powerful gaming PCs on the market. By integrating the INTEL CORE ULTRA Series 2 Processors with the NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super, 4070 Ti Super, and 4070 Super graphics cards, we provide gamers with an unparalleled experience. These systems are designed for those who demand peak performance and future-proof technology."

Microsoft releases a monthly cumulative update to Windows every second Tuesday of a month, dubbed "patch Tuesday," however sometimes the company has the updates ready to go before that date, and puts them out as Update Previews. These are not "beta" versions of a software update, but contents of the upcoming patch Tuesday just being released ahead of its time, and as such it's offered even to regular users that aren't Insiders. One such update preview for the month of October 2024 is horribly broken.

Dubbed the Windows 11 Update Preview KB5043145, and released on September 26, this update is found by users to cause blue screens of death (BSODs), and send the system into "boot loops"—a condition where the OS fails to load, causing the machine to reboot over and over again, until you can boot with a recovery disc just to boot into your existing installation. The KB5043145 update preview has since been pulled, although it's still part of the Microsoft Update Catalog, a repository that holds all Windows Updates as standalone installers.

Microsoft today released the Windows 11 2024 Update to the general user-base. This version of the operating system was being referred to as the Windows 11 "24H2 Update." Since Microsoft moved away from the biannual major release cycle for Windows, 24H2 was set up to be called simply the "2024 Update." Windows 11 2024 Update introduces several new experiences that leverage native AI acceleration on Copilot+ PCs—cool new things like super-resolution for Photos, or generative fill and erase tools in Paint. The update also releases Preview versions of Click to Do, and Windows Recall.

Click to Do is a generative AI-based utility that lets you perform text related actions anywhere (think rephrasing or summarizing something); or perform visual search for an item in a video or photo, using Bing. Windows Recall is a star-attraction, it lets you trace-back steps or actions in any compatible software, by relying on visual snapshots of your work to restore past actions. This should prove particularly useful for creative work. Both Click to Do, and Windows Recall require a Copilot+ PC (a machine with an NPU that has at least 40 AI TOPS of performance on offer). Windows 2024 Update should begin appearing in the Update section of Windows Settings.

Today Microsoft published an extensive blog post about the controversial Recall feature that was intended to launch with Copilot+ enabled Windows 11 PCs. To recap on Recall: Recall was announced as a service that creates and stores 'snapshots' of the user's activity on their PC, and uses the neural processing hardware within a Copilot+ certified machine to filter search requests by the user in order to find what they had previously seen. In effect, it took constant screenshots and would index the contents of those screenshots to assist with vague search queries. Saw a very funny picture in Discord a week ago and can't find it but can describe what it looked like? Search Recall and with the power of neural processing it would sift through its index of stored screenshots and attempt to provide you the exact image you described. Or, you could scroll back through the gallery of snapshots yourself to find what you wanted.

The idea of a program or service running in the background taking screenshots of your activity every few seconds yielded some pretty unsavory reactions from just about everyone. To assuage privacy concerns Microsoft did release an update in June committing to a broad set of security improvements to Recall before the preview would be available to test. This latest blog post titled, "Update on Recall security and privacy architecture", outlines more improvements on top of those announced back in June.

This monitor brings brilliant color, connectivity, and a package of other features that level up anyone's workspace. The Philips 27B2U6903, the latest addition to the Philips business monitor line-up, comes with state-of-the-art technology, such as UHD 4K resolution and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, which aim to make anybody's everyday tasks smoother and of better quality.

For professionals looking to improve their online visual experience, this monitor is an ideal fit. Not only is its IPS LED panel equipped with a powerful 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) resolution, but it also has 1.07 billion colors and covers a wide color gamut allowing colors to come to life on screen. Another top-notch feature listed on the Philips 27B2U6903 is Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. Not only is this a powerhouse of a feature on its own, but it is especially suited for business. All through one connection, users can build a dual-screen setup via daisy-chaining, transfer data to external devices at superfast speed, and charge connected devices at a power of up to 100 W. Also in the mix for the connectivity is the monitor's Ethernet connection via RJ45, which enables users to access a stable wired network connection at a higher bandwidth via Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C.

ASUS over the weekend introduced the XG-C100C V3, a client-segment 10 GbE PCIe network interface card. The card features a ubiquitous RJ-45 connector that supports 803.2an (10 Gbps), and slower standards, such as 5 GbE, 2.5 GbE, 1 GbE, and 10/100 Mbps. The single-slot, half-height (low-profile) card features a PCI-Express 3.0 x4 host interface, and uses a Marvell AQtion AQC113 controller, with a heatsink. The card features dual-color link/activity LEDs. OS support includes Windows 11, Windows 10, and most recent desktop Linux distributions. The company didn't announce pricing.

ASUS today announced ExpertBook BM1, a durable, reliable and versatile laptop designed to meet the demands of the dynamic world of modern business and work. ExpertBook BM1 boasts a robust feature set, including an AMD Ryzen 7 processor with AMD Radeon graphics, up to 64 GB of memory and generous storage options - all encased in a lightweight 1.4 kg design. Its vibrant display with a tall 16:9 aspect ratio enhances the visual experience. Designed for seamless connectivity, it supports up to Wi-Fi 6E and offers a comprehensive range of I/O ports. Additionally, ExpertBook BM1 is built to military-grade durability standards and incorporates an eco-conscious design, reflecting the ASUS commitment to sustainability and accountability.

ExpertBook BM1 is designed to elevate business performance, offering the speed and responsiveness required to meet today's challenges, enabling effortless multitasking, advanced data management, and optimized workflows. Equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 processor with AMD Radeon graphics, it provides the powerful performance necessary to accomplish any task. With up to 64 GB of memory and generous storage capacity, this business laptop is prepared for even the most demanding workloads, ensuring quick access to critical information. ExpertBook BM1 also prioritizes connectivity with support for Wi-Fi 6E and a wide range of I/O ports. Additionally, its military-grade durability ensures it can handle various tasks seamlessly, making ExpertBook BM1 an ideal choice for modern professionals.

AMD today released early driver support for the Radeon 800M series integrated graphics of Ryzen AI 300 series mobile processors to use AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2), and Variable Graphics Memory (VGM) technologies. The two technologies receive optimization for the RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture driving the iGPU of the "Strix Point" silicon on which the Ryzen AI 300 series processors are based on. AFMF 2 is the second generation of AMD Fluid Motion Frames, a technology that lets you nearly double frame-rates on any Direct3D 11 or later game, without the gaming having explicit support for a frame generation technology, such as FSR 3 Frame Generation. AFMF operates out of the game's graphics pipeline, which adds a tiny bit of system latency. AFMF 2 seeks to reduce this latency.

Variable Graphics Memory (VGM) is another interesting feature that builds on top of the UMA (unified memory architecture) implementation of AMD processors with iGPUs. Depending on a 3D application's demands, the technology dynamically allocates up to 75% of the system memory as video memory for the iGPU, while ensuring the game doesn't run into unintentional performance bottlenecks arising from paging main memory if too much of it is used up by the iGPU. For VGM to work, a system needs at least 16 GB of main memory. VGM is not meant to be confused with the shared memory area that the processor allots to the iGPU by default (which ranges between 512 MB and 2 GB), it's designed to augment to this by eating into the system memory.

Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, today announced significant updates to its S14I semi-rugged laptop, expanding its product line supporting modern-day data-intensive tasks. With the performance of Intel Core Ultra processor, this AI-powered 14" semi-rugged laptop exceeds expectations by delivering a powerful, premium performance and exceptional user experience.

Durabook also produces the Z14I fully rugged laptop, the world's most durable and reliable fully rugged PC designed specifically to support demanding AI applications in the field. Twinhead's CEO, Fred Kao, said: "AI technology has emerged as an important tool to handle and maximise data and create new, more capable and powerful systems. Durabook aims to equip our mobile computing devices with optimum capability for professional users in the field. Our customers can exploit these advancements to their advantage and greatest benefit with laptop solutions delivering up to 100 TOPS with AI accelerator."

ASUS today announced ExpertBook B1, a durable, reliable and versatile laptop that's ready for the rigors of the modern business world. ExpertBook B1's lineup of powerful features includes up to an Intel Core 7 processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, up to 64 GB of memory and ample storage, plus a vibrant screen with a tall 16:9 aspect ratio - all encased in a sleek 1.4 kg chassis. ExpertBook B1 is designed for seamless connectivity, featuring up to WiFi 6E and a comprehensive array of I/O ports. In addition, it offers military-grade durability and incorporates an eco-friendly design that reflects a commitment to sustainability and accountability.

Robust performance
ExpertBook B1 is engineered to enhance business capabilities, providing the fast and responsive performance essential for today's demands—enabling seamless multitasking, advanced data handling, and streamlined operations. Powered by up to an Intel Core 7 processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, ExpertBook B1 delivers the robust performance needed to get the job done.

ASUS today announced that it showcased its latest technological innovations at the Always Incredible Media Day for IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany. The company highlighted its commitment to its Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities vision by unveiling a new portfolio of next-generation ASUS Copilot+ PCs. Equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), they deliver style, robust features and functionality, robust connectivity and heighten levels of performance alongside AI capabilities. ASUS has harnessed the full potential of Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) in the latest ASUS NUC mini PC. This new model outperforms the competition with superior performance, while maintaining an impressively compact design and robust array of connections and expansion support. With an integrated NPU delivering up to 48 TOPS, it enabled on-device AI capabilities. The NUC 14 Pro Ai will receive a free update to Copilot+ PC experiences when available.

The company's collaboration with Intel has been key in bringing these cutting-edge devices to life. "The powerful Intel Core Ultra processors at the heart of our latest Zenbook, Vivobook, ExpertBook laptops, and NUC Mini PC deliver unmatched performance and enable a wide range of AI experiences," said Rangoon Chang, ASUS Corporate Vice President, Consumer Business Unit. "With these new devices, together we are empowering users to harness the full potential of AI to enjoy smarter, more intuitive computing."

MSI, a leading brand in gaming, content creation, and business & productivity laptops, proudly launched several next-gen AI+ gaming and business productivity laptops featuring the new Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) and AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series at IFA 2024. These laptops offer more AI computing power, making it the most robust platform for AI PC development, with more AI models, frameworks, and runtimes enable.

Additionally, MSI officially launched the new Claw 8 AI+ Windows 11 gaming handheld device, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and an 8-inch screen, providing a smoother and broader mobile gaming experience. MSI also announced the whole new Venture series laptops, redefining the combination of thin, light and powerful. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and varieties of different size, from 14, 15.6, 16, to 17 inches.

Acer today announced its entry into the handheld gaming space with the launch of the new Acer Nitro Blaze 7 (GN771). The device combines cutting-edge technology and a compact design to always bring next-level gaming and entertainment within reach. Acer's first-generation handheld AI gaming PC features an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, with Ryzen AI that optimizes performance and responsiveness across a wide range of games and applications.

The design allows users to easily slip the device into their bags or pockets for instant playing time on the go. It features a 7-inch Full HD (FHD) IPS display with a touch interface, plus AMD FreeSync Premium technology, and a blazing-fast 144 Hz refresh rate. This allows players to experience enhanced visuals and responsive controls while playing their favorite AAA titles. The system runs on Windows 11 and features the new Acer Game Space application which supports the addition of games from multiple platforms.

Samsung Electronics today announced the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, a Copilot+ PC and the first in the all-new Galaxy Book5 series. Performance upgrades made possible by the Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) bring next-level computing power, with up to 47 total TOPs NPU - and more than 300 AI-accelerated features across 100+ creativity, productivity, gaming and entertainment apps. Microsoft Phone Link provides access to your Galaxy phone screen on a larger, more immersive PC display, enabling use of fan-favorite Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search with Google, Chat Assist, Live Translate and more. And with the Intel ARC GPU, graphics performance is improved by 17%. When paired with stunning features like the Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Vision Booster and 10-point multi-touchscreen, Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 allows creation anytime, anywhere.

"The Galaxy Book5 series brings even more cutting-edge AI experiences to Galaxy users around the world who want to enhance and simplify their everyday tasks - a vision made possible by our continued collaboration with longtime industry partners," said Dr. Hark-Sang Kim, EVP & Head of New Computing R&D Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. "As one of our most powerful PCs, Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 brings together top-tier performance with Galaxy's expansive mobile AI ecosystem for the ultimate AI PC experience."

MSI, a leading brand in gaming, content creation, and business & productivity laptops, proudly launched several next-gen AI+ gaming and business productivity laptops featuring the new Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) and AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series at IFA 2024. These laptops offer more AI computing power, making it the most robust platform for AI PC development, with more AI models, frameworks, and runtimes enable. Additionally, MSI officially launched the new Claw 8 AI+ Windows 11 gaming handheld device, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and an 8-inch screen, providing a smoother and broader mobile gaming experience. MSI also announced the whole new Venture series laptops, redefining the combination of thin, light and powerful. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and varieties of different size, from 14, 15.6, 16, to 17 inches.

"MSI not only brings the industry's most comprehensive AI+ PC lineup but also introduces multiple new laptops and handheld devices designed for gamers worldwide," said Eric Kuo, MSI's Executive Vice President and General Manager of NB Business Unit. "We welcome global guests to visit the MSI booth to experience next-gen AI computing and exciting gaming products."

The latest Steam hardware and software survey reveals a significant shift in the gamer's operating system landscape, with Windows 11 gaining 3.36% among Windows OSes and finally surpassing the 50% mark in August 2024, now standing at 50.81%. This milestone is a notable achievement, considering the OS had been experiencing a decline in popularity just a month prior. The sudden surge in Windows 11 adoption can be attributed to users transitioning from Windows 10, which lost 3.29% of its user base in the same period. Additionally, a few users on older Windows versions, such as 8.1 and 7, have also switched to Windows 11.

Despite Windows 11's growing popularity, Windows 10 remains a formidable presence, with 48.66% of Steam users still preferring the older OS. Its success can be attributed to its stability and compatibility with a wide range of games and hardware. Many users have expressed concerns over Windows 11's performance and its stringent hardware requirements, which have made it less accessible for some gamers, especially those without the TPM 2.0-enhanced system. However, with Microsoft set to discontinue security updates and technical support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, users will need to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or another supported OS in the near future. The periodical resurgence of Windows 10 suggests that some users are hesitant to give up the older OS, but the writing is on the wall. As the deadline for Windows 10 support approaches, more users will likely make the transition to Windows 11.