For gamers looking to maximize their performance, even small mouse modifications can make a big difference. From glide and click feel to sensor accuracy, each adjustment can be tailored to your personal playing style. One noticeable improvement is the replacement of the mouse feet with high-quality PTFE skates. These reduce friction on the mouse pad and enable smoother, more precise movements. Advanced users can customize the skates to influence the coefficient of friction, which is perfect for balancing fast flick-aim (reflex-like movement) with controlled micro-aim. Paracord cables with high flexibility eliminate tensile forces and mimic the feeling of a wireless mouse. This leads to more consistent movements, especially for low-sense gamers (those who use low DPI). Replacing the mouse switches allows you to customize the click feel and trigger characteristics to your own preferences.Asus Key internal mechanics can also be improved, though this step requires considerably more expertise. High-quality microswitches ensure a clearer click feel, reduce pre-travel, and increase durability. However, the replacement requires you to open the housing, which usually voids the manufacturer’s warranty. If you decide to do this, you must be able to solder safely and verify the specifications of the switches (actuating force, travel distance, PCB compatibility). FPS gamers also benefit from mouse wheel modifications, where the axle is re-mounted or lubricated to enable faster and smoother weapon changes. The following also applies here: Precise work and clean lubrication are essential to achieve a lasting improvement. Precise modifications to switches and internal technology can noticeably increase the reaction speed and reliability of a gaming mouse.Asus Optimizing the sensor requires a little more skill and knowledge, but can be done safely with the right tools. In the driver software or mouse firmware menu, calibrate the sensor to the surface properties of your mouse pad. To do this, start the detection routine and move the mouse in typical patterns. The LOD (lift-off distance) is fine-tuned using the corresponding setting value. It determines the height at which the sensor stops tracking. A value that is too high can cause unwanted cursor movements when lifting. A value that is too low can lead to dropouts during rapid repositioning. This allows you to prevent tracking errors when lifting and adapt the mouse precisely to your play style. Weight tuning offers additional options for customizing the mouse. In practice, this involves removing internal metal plates or unnecessary brackets to make the mouse lighter and more agile. You should carefully loosen all screws and cable connections so as not to cause any damage. If you want more stability and smoother aiming behavior of the mouse, small weights can be added to existing mounts or fixed with adhesive pads. The following applies to both options: Ensure the balance is maintained and that no components press against the housing or interfere with the sensor. Large PTFE mouse feet reduce frictional resistance and guarantee smoother, more precise movement on the mouse pad.Foundry As already mentioned, every modification should be done with warranty and technology considerations in mind. Work methodically, and you will get a customized mouse that perfectly matches your playing style, surpassing the standard version in precision, speed, and comfort. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Compact form factor with efficient cooling Powerful AMD Zen 4 CPU performance for office, multitasking, and creation Dual 2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet ports Triple display support including DisplayPort 2.1 (8K/60) 32GB DDR5 in dual channel and 1 TB NVMe SSD included Quiet and energy-efficient operation in everyday use Cons No NPU, no USB4, or Thunderbolt AI focused systems are better positioned for the future SSD and iGPU work below their theoretical capabilities Our Verdict The Alliwava H90 Pro hits an exciting sweet spot: extremely compact, really quiet, and very energy-efficient; yet significantly faster than classic office mini PCs. The addition of HDMI, DisplayPort, dual 2.5 Gbit LAN, and 32GB DDR5 make it a versatile desktop computer. If you need USB4, Wi-Fi 7, and NPU features, you’ll have to find them in much more expensive AI mini PCs. Otherwise, everyone else gets a lot of computing power for their money here. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Alliwava H90 Pro Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Alliwava H90 Pro: The specs CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS, 8 cores / 16 threads, 3.8 to 4.9 GHz, Zen 4 architecture, 35 watt TDP, 4 nm production GPU: AMD Radeon 780M, 12 compute units, up to 2,600 MHz, shared memory Memory: 32GB DDR5-4800, dual-channel, 2× SO-DIMM, expandable up to 256 GB according to the manufacturer Mass storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD, M.2-2280, PCIe-NVMe Cooling: Vapor chamber cooling system (MSC 2.0) with quiet fan and SSD heatsink, dust protection air inlets Video outputs: 1 × HDMI (2.1), 1 × DisplayPort (1.4) plus additional DisplayPort/Alt mode via USB-C; up to three monitors in parallel operation, DP up to 8K @ 60 Hz USB: 1 × USB 2.0, 3 × USB 3.x Gen1, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen2×2 (20 GB/s), incl. USB-C Connectivity: 2 × 2.5 Gbit LAN (Realtek RTL8125), Wi-Fi 6E (MediaTek MT7922), Bluetooth 5.2 Operating system: Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, automatic activation when connected to the internet Dimensions: 52 × 130 × 127.5 mm (H × W × D) Weight: approx. 360 g (0.8lbs) More and more manufacturers that are still relatively unknown are entering the mini PC market. Alliwava is a small supplier of mini PCs that – unlike well-known brands – deliberately focuses on a price-to-performance-orientated market segment. Instead of expensive flagship models with NPU, Thunderbolt docking, or premium gaming design, Alliwava focuses on solid hardware in compact cases, good value for money, and practical features suitable for everyday use. In our review we put it to the test to see if it lives up to these standards. Alliwava H90 Pro: Design After unpacking and the first impressions, the H90 Pro immediately looks like a typical IT favorite: small enough to disappear behind the monitor, but with port layout and cooling that are more reminiscent of a full-blown desktop. The H90 Pro has a simple, functional look: aluminium tray at the bottom, plastic lid in carbon look at the top, plus perforations on the sides for ventilation. Christoph Hoffmann At around 13 × 13 × 5.2 centimeters and around 360 grams (0.8 lbs), the housing remains very compact. At the same time, Alliwava accommodates a fully-fledged AMD Zen 4 platform with Ryzen 7 8745HS and Radeon 780M – all at street prices of less than $700. The front is clearly structured: several USB ports, an audio socket and a discreetly illuminated power button. This makes the mini PC inconspicuous enough for the office without appearing cheap. Christoph Hoffmann It gets exciting when you look under the hood: Alliwava uses a newly designed metal frame with a vapor chamber and MSC 2.0 cooling system, plus dust-protected air inlets on the bottom and sides. This is anything but a matter of course in this size class. In practice, the cooling design results in very quiet operation – even under load. Compared to devices such as the Minisforum AI X1 Pro or Geekom A9 Max, the H90 Pro is visibly more compact. These models also rely on powerful CPUs (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370), but require larger cases with significantly more volume. The Sapphire Edge AI 370 undercuts the H90 Pro once again in terms of height, but Alliwava’s cooling concept is more accessible – without magnetic lids or a rotated board, but with an easily-to-get-to interior and standardized components. Alliwava H90 Pro: Processor, GPU, RAM, and SSD The H90 Pro is surprisingly fully equipped. The centerpiece is the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS (8C/16T, 3.8-4.9 GHz, 35 watts TDP) based on the Zen 4 architecture, combined with the integrated Radeon 780M (12 CUs, up to 2,600 MHz). There is also 32GB DDR5-4800 in dual channel (2 × SO-DIMM, upgradeable to 256GB) from Kingbank Technology and a 1 TB NVMe SSD (M.2 2280, PCIe NVMe, Gen4 according to the manufacturer, in practice more in the Gen3 performance range). Crystal Disk Info identifies the internal SSD as 1 TB NVMe PCI3 3.0 x4 – without reference to the manufacturer. The connectivity is one of the clear plus points: A total of five USB ports are available (including a 20 GB/s port), plus an HDMI port, two DisplayPort outputs and two 2.5 Gbit LANs. Alliwava itself advertises triple display support via HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4 and USB-C, including 8K at 60 Hz via DisplayPort – a detail that we especially appreciate. Christoph Hoffmann The H90 Pro relies on dual 2.5 GbE (Realtek RTL8125) and Wi-Fi 6E (MediaTek MT7922) for the network. Bluetooth 5.0 is also available. Alliwava H90 Pro: Operating system The Alliwava H90 Pro comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, which is activated when there is an active internet connection. The operating system on our test device was still Windows 11 23H2 – release date 31 October 2023 – so a major update to Windows 11 25H2 was necessary in several steps immediately after setup. This is typical for smaller manufacturers who do not update their images regularly. Christoph Hoffmann After the update, Windows runs stably and smoothly. We downloaded the AMD drivers for the Radeon graphics card and the chipset from the Internet and installed them. Christoph Hoffmann A particularly good point is that Alliwava does not install any bloatware or unwanted additional software. The system’s performance harmonizes well with Windows 11: The Ryzen 7 8745HS, the 32GB RAM, and the NVMe SSD ensure a very smooth user experience. Boot times remain short, programs open quickly and there are no noticeable delays even with many browser tabs or Office programs running at the same time. For typical scenarios – office work, web applications, media playback, home office, even light image and video editing – the H90 Pro offers a remarkably smooth experience under Windows 11. Once the mini PC has been properly updated after unpacking, you get a stable, fast, and unproblematic system that leaves little to be desired in everyday use. Alliwave H90 Pro: Performance The Ryzen 7 8745HS belongs to the Hawk Point family and is essentially a Zen 4 chip with eight cores, 16 threads, and up to 4.9 GHz boost. The integrated Radeon 780M shares the DDR5 memory with the CPU and scales strongly with the RAM clock and power budget. In the H90 Pro, the processor works with rather conservative power limits; the total consumption under full load remains at around 60 to 80 watts and is clearly moderate in everyday use. With its performance scores, the H90 Pro ranks quite well in the field of current Ryzen 7 mini PCs – with a clear focus on office and all-round productivity tasks, but slightly slower gaming performance. PCMark 10 with 6,209 points shows a system that effortlessly covers typical office, web, and collaboration workloads. Essentials (9,380 points) and Productivity (8,864 points) are on a par with well-configured 8745HS or 7840HS compact PCs. The Digital Content Creation section with 7,456 points indicates that photo workflows, simple 4K editing projects, or streaming setups run smoothly without entering the region of dedicated GPUs. Christoph Hoffmann The 3DMark CPU profile with 5,486 points with maximum threads, 5,238 points with 16 threads and 4,418 with 8 threads shows a cleanly scaling multi-core performance. As expected, the gap to the single-thread score (890 points) is clear and confirms that the 8745HS works as a classic 8-core all-rounder: high multi-thread performance for compilation, virtualization, or parallel workloads, without coming close to the top of the HX-370 or Core Ultra top models from our tests. These usually offer 15-30 percent more reserves in synthetic tests, but are significantly more expensive. Christoph Hoffmann The GPU performance is exciting. A Time Spy score of 2,446 points with 2,186 graphics points and 7,549 CPU points is slightly below typical 780M systems with a more aggressive configuration. Many 7840HS or 8845HS mini-PCs with fast LPDDR5X RAM are closer to 3,000-3,300 points. The Radeon 780M cannot fully realise its potential because Alliwava leaves the RAM at 4,800 MT/s and operates the APU with moderate power limits. Christoph Hoffmann In practice, this means: Full HD gaming on medium settings runs stably in many titles, but current AAA games or WQHD/4K remain clearly in the “best-effort” range. 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light with 2,027 points and 15 FPS shows exactly this same picture: playable in moderate presets, clearly GPU-limited in the harder variants. Solar Bay with 10,295 points emphasises that the iGPU is quite powerful by mobile-APU standards, but does not compete with discrete mid-range graphics cards. Geekbench AI Pro is interesting: 3,617 (Single Precision), 1,566 (Half Precision) and 7,371 quantized are solid values for a pure CPU/GPU solution. However, in direct comparison to NPU-based systems – such as the Ryzen AI HX 370 mini PCs or the Intel Core Ultra 9 in the Geekom IT15 – the H90 Pro lacks the dedicated AI unit, meaning that AI workloads require more energy and computing time. For classic desktop AI (local LLMs, image generation in moderate resolution), the combination of Zen 4 cores and 780M is still sufficient as long as you don’t expect maximum throughput rates. Christoph Hoffmann In terms of mass storage, CrystalDiskMark delivers values in the upper PCIe 3.0 segment with around 3,569 MB/s read and 3,102 MB/s write. High-end Gen 4 SSDs theoretically achieve twice as much, but the difference is hardly noticeable in everyday use (booting, loading apps, project workflows). Christoph Hoffmann Is the Alliwava H90 Pro worth it? All in all, the H90 Pro is positioned between classic 5800U/5825U office boxes and the current AI flagships with HX-370 or Core Ultra 9 in terms of performance. The mini PC from Alliwava is strong in everyday and productivity tasks and (still) sufficient for light gaming and content creation, but lacks an AI accelerator and won’t break any records for iGPU performance. Read...

One of the best things you can get for your sanity and your device’s health is a good charger block—something fast, something versatile, something with safety features like temperature monitoring. The Ugreen Nexode is a great option, especially now that it’s on sale for $34 on Amazon. That’s not only a lovely 38% discount off its MSRP, but also the lowest price I’ve ever seen for this model. View this Amazon deal This is a multi-port power adapter that’ll make you forget all about juggling multiple chargers and adapters, which can be a huge inconvenience whether you’re at home or traveling to hotels, Airbnbs, etc. With four ports—three USB-C and one USB-A—you can charge up to four devices at once, everything from phones to tablets to earbuds to headphones, all at the same time. And with a max output of 100 watts, it’s even enough to charge a lightweight laptop. (Ugreen claims it can charge a MacBook Air up to 55% in just half an hour.) Built with GaN technology, this charger is better than older power adapters because it’s smaller (fits in the palm of your hand), faster, and more efficient (produces less heat). The foldable plugs make it ideal for travel as your other gadgets won’t get scratched up in your bag, nor will the prongs catch and potentially break. The GaN tech also brings in plenty of safety features and dynamic temperature sensors. Now, there’s only one catch with this deal: it’s a Prime-exclusive discount. But it’s okay if you don’t have Prime yet—you can still score this all-new low price with a free 30-day Prime trial. Start your trial and grab this compact 4-port USB-C charger for $34 before this deal expires! Save 38% on this versatile and fast USB power adapter for 4 devicesBuy now at Amazon Read...

As a mom to six kids in rural Nebraska, it’s been hard for me to accept that the world is changing. Except for a few years in Omaha, I’ve lived in small rural communities almost all my life. It’s actually not uncommon in my community to leave your car—or home—unlocked and to know all your neighbors by name. But things are different from the way they used to be. We’ve had some close calls in the area with home break-ins and jail breakouts (which can be frightening if you’re home alone at night). While I knew I needed to get serious about securing my home, I’d been reluctant to go high-tech. After all, I live in an area that frequently loses power during bad weather and struggles to maintain good internet connectivity, which means app-based solutions can sometimes leave me in limbo. Giving smart locks a try But then I was approached with an interesting opportunity: PCWorld asked me to install a smart lock—my first—and share my experience. They knew that while I love gadgets and have written about dozens in the past, I was leery of trusting one with my home security. I can’t be the only person who’s had intrusive thoughts of being locked out of my home at 3 a.m. due to an app crash or because I forgot my PIN code.  Level Lock Pro Read our review Plus, I’m busy and not particularly handy, so my mind raced with concerns. Will it take a long time to install? Will my tech-averse husband hate it? Will we install it and then just never use that door again? Never one to back down from a challenge (I’m raising five boys, after all), I said I’d give it a shot. The biggest surprise? I can’t believe I didn’t try this sooner.  A smart lock has been the least complicated part of my home security routine, and it’s as smart as I want it to be—a big must if your household members have varying levels of tech comfort. You may be as surprised as I was at how uneventful the entire experience turned out to be (and that’s a good thing!) Installation was surprisingly easy First, before you ever buy a lock, get to know the doors in your home. You likely have an entry point in mind, but not all doors work with all locks. Most standard smart deadbolt kits, like the Schrage Encode Plus that I tried (read our expert’s review of the Schrage Encode Plus), have clear specifications on the packaging to confirm a fit. Even if it’s not explicitly stated, a given lock may not work on an antique, non-standard, or glass-filled door (e.g., French-style).  Linsey Knerl/Foundry We chose a door that was close enough to be in range of our home Wi-Fi network, but far enough away that we’d appreciate the convenience of locking it without having to physically walk to the door. In our case, this was the front door to our very cold-in-winter garage—which did not, unfortunately, have an existing lock. If your preferred door doesn’t have a deadbolt already, you can cut holes for one—which is what we did. Most hardware stores sell door lock installation kits, but be sure you purchase both the hole saw component and the latch plate jig. They may not be bundled together in the same kit. (If you don’t have a handy spouse like I do, this is a quick job for a handyman that should take less than an hour.) After we had a deadbolt hole and a place for a latch plate, the installation itself was super simple. The entire process took less than 10 minutes, so if you’re looking for a weekend project, this won’t even take the whole weekend. (Meaning, you can’t use it as an excuse to miss your least-favorite cousin’s wedding.) Linsey Knerl/Foundry Here are some highlights and tips from our installation: The door lock we chose came with an instruction booklet and an app to guide us through. I preferred the app because it had animated videos that really helped someone like me, who has little spatial ability. Reading all the steps before you start can be very helpful, as well.  The unique security code for your lock is likely printed on the instructions. Snap a photo of this with your phone so you’ll always have it, even if you lose the pamphlet.  To make the process smoother, check what you’ll need before you start and verify that you have each item (screws, plates, etc.) mentioned in the instructions. Our lock came with standard AA batteries, but not all do. Have a fresh set available so you can finish installation.  Separate bolt or screw types by size so you don’t accidentally use the wrong one for a particular step.  As long as you have a standard-sized Phillips screwdriver, you won’t need extra tools, but a second person can help when lining up the lock from the other side of the door.  As a final note, I’d strongly advise picking a door lock that runs on batteries. While hard-wired options are available, these are more appropriate for homeowners with access to an electrician and would likely lead to a more involved installation process. You can decide how smart your smart lock will be I have a love-hate relationship with gadgets due to privacy concerns and app fatigue. If you do too, that’s OK. Smart locks can be used as part of a connected ecosystem of smart devices or entirely on their own.  While you generally need to install the app and sign up for a free account to use a smart lock initially, continued use is optional. Our lock came with a key and a PIN pad, so it is unnecessary to connect to a smart assistant (Alexa, Google Home) unless you want to. In the event of a power or internet outage, I can rely on the lock’s battery power and PIN, or stick with the old-fashioned key on a ring. I also love this type of smart-lock configuration for “Wait Until 8th” households, as it allows kids to come and go without compromising on tech boundaries.  Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt Read our review Best Prices Today: $249.94 at Amazon | $319 at Schlage | Not Available at Amazon Prime I also like that our lock came with a guest PIN option, meaning a housekeeper, visiting family member, or dog-sitter can come and go with their own PIN. We can see when they came and went with notifications in the app, or even disable the PIN to revoke access.  Other locks come with fingerprint identification, something I really didn’t want. In the winter, we prefer to keep gloves on, and I’m really hesitant to give more personal data than necessary to any app or device. But you can always balance your unique needs and privacy concerns with any lock you choose.  It gave me peace of mind Ultimately, the right smart lock should make you feel safer than without one. In our case, I was impressed with a few features right from the start. For one, it was easy to check the lock’s status from anywhere, including my bed at three in the morning. This is a key factor in the middle of December, when I’m reluctant to brave the chilly temperatures in the garage to check if my door is truly locked. (Keep in mind that if you choose a Bluetooth-only smart lock rather than a Wi-Fi model or one with a network-connected hub, you’ll need to be physically near the lock to access it.) It also provides some assurance when I leave the kids home alone. Rather than texting to remind them to lock the door (and obsessively waiting for them to text back to confirm they complied), I can just check the phone app. I also get notified when they lock or unlock the door, whether they do so with the app, a connected device, the PIN pad, or the physical key.  My favorite use case is the ability to remotely lock the door immediately. Remember the escaped fugitive I mentioned earlier? It really happened in our small town, and it was nice to lock my door in the middle of the day from my kitchen without making the trek to the garage. While I doubt seconds matter in most cases, it is handy to be able to lock or unlock the door instantly.  Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen Wi-Fi and Matter Enabled Smart Lock Read our review Best Prices Today: $259 at Amazon You can take it with you Finally, I understand the reluctance to spend a lot of money on a nicer smart lock, especially if you’re in a starter home—or if you plan to replace your door at some point. However, uninstalling the lock takes less time than installing it. So, if you keep all the parts from your original lock, it’s just as simple a process to put things back the way they were and bring your fancy lock to your next door (or location). With some of these locks costing hundreds of dollars, I like having the freedom to not be “locked” into a single door.  I’m a smart lock believer now I’m not sold on all new technology and will probably never invest in a smart fridge, for example. But I can’t deny that the smart lock has changed the way I think about security and may have actually enhanced (in a small way) how I live.  Having a smart lock makes safety a one-button push thing, like the fob on my car keys. It’s safety first, but without all the drama of waking up my husband at 3 a.m. to ask, “Are you sure you remembered to lock the door?” It gives my racing mind one less thing to ruminate on while keeping my most prized treasures (my family) a little bit more secure.  But you don’t have to be an obsessive checker like me to get value from a smart lock. Anyone who lives in cold climates or thinks hiding a key under the mat is an outdated idea can probably get on board with the gadget. Because protecting what matters most should feel simple, not stressful. Check out TechHive’s top picks for the best smart locks. Read...

AI is already crafting natural-language summaries of what Amazon’s Ring and Google’s Nest cameras are seeing, and now the AI-generated descriptions are coming to Blink cameras, too.  Slated to begin rolling out today in beta to U.S. users, Blink Video Descriptions will employ AI to analyze the video events captured by Blink security cameras and then generate descriptions of what’s happening.  The feature, which will work with all existing Blink cameras and doorbells, will start off as a free preview for “select” Blink Plus subscribers, according to a Blink spokesperson. In a Blink promotional clip, an AI-generated description for an event video reads, “A person in a red shirt is riding a bike in front of a white house,” which pretty much summarizes what’s happening in the video.  The videos descriptions are “designed to only deliver the most relevant information” and will “focus on describing the main subject that caused a motion alert and what action they are taking,” Blink said.  Blink Video Descriptions are similar to the AI summaries generated by Ring’s Smart Video Search, which rolled out to Ring subscribers more than a year ago. Both Blink and Ring are owned by Amazon.  Blink Video Descriptions will employ AI to analyze the video events captured by Blink security cameras and then generate descriptions of what’s happening. Blink Google has also rolled out its own generative-AI video descriptions powered by Gemini, while other security cam manufacturers (such as Eufy) have their own versions of the technology.  For now, Blink Video Descriptions apply only to individual video events. In contrast, Google’s Gemini for Home can also generate “Daily Briefs” that summarize your daily smart home activity, including motion events captured by Nest cameras.  In addition, Blink Video Descriptions are not searchable, as are the AI descriptions rendered by Ring’s Smart Video Search feature.  One issue with Blink Video Descriptions that remains up in the air is whether it will require a subscription once it’s out of beta, with a Blink spokesperson telling me that “we don’t have any details to share on subscription requirements for Blink Video Descriptions at this time.” Blink offers two paid subscription tiers: a $3.99-a-month Basic plan that offers 60 days of video history, AI-powered person and vehicle detection, and other features for a single Blink camera, and a $11.99/month plan covers all your Blink cameras while adding an extended warranty.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras. Read...

Elderly people aged 65 and over now make up nearly 30% of Japan`s population. Read...

Nvidia is reactivating a feature that many of you may have already written off: The new Game Ready driver 591.44 brings back PhysX support for selected older games. For owners of a GeForce RTX 50 graphics card, this is a very relevant change — especially if you enjoy playing classic games with elaborate physics effects. Why PhysX is important – and why it was removed PhysX has been a mainstay in PC gaming for many years, creating realistic effects for fabrics, smoke and particles in titles such as “Borderlands 2” and “Batman: Arkham City.” But Nvidia cancelled PhysX support at the beginning of 2025: New RTX-50 series graphics cards could no longer accelerate PhysX calculations in 32-bit games via GPU. As a result, the calculations landed entirely on the CPU — with significant performance losses compared to prior generation GeForce cards. Some gamers reacted with a hilarious, yet totally functional workaround: They plugged an older Nvidia card into their computer just to be able to continue using PhysX effects. Driver 591.44: PhysX returns – but only for select games With the current driver, there is now a turnaround. Nvidia is introducing a so-called “Custom Support” level. This is not a complete return of the old 32-bit support, but rather individually created profiles for a hand-picked selection of particularly popular PhysX titles. These nine games now benefit from GPU acceleration again: Alice: Madness Returns Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Batman: Arkham City Batman: Arkham Origins Borderlands 2 Mafia II Metro 2033 Metro: Last Light Mirror’s Edge Nvidia has announced additional support for “Batman: Arkham Asylum” for the first half of 2026. Whether other games will follow remains to be seen. Nvidia writes that it has initially focused on the most popular classics that are still frequently played today. PhysX technology originally comes from Ageia, which developed its own physics processor unit (PPU) around 20 years ago. Nvidia took over Ageia in 2008 and integrated PhysX calculations directly into the CUDA cores of its own GeForce graphics cards. This made the additional PPU card superfluous, but also tied the effects firmly to Nvidia hardware. Driver also brings optimizations and bug fixes In addition to the return of PhysX, Nvidia’s new Game Ready driver offers further improvements: Optimizations for “Battlefield 6: Winter Offensive” and “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7”, especially in conjunction with DLSS 4. Fixes for graphics artifacts in “The Witcher 3”. Stability fixes for Adobe Premiere Pro. Driver 591.44 is available for download as usual via the Nvidia app or the Nvidia website. If you play classic games with PhysX effects, the update should bring noticeable improvements — often significantly higher frame rates and reactivated graphical effects. If, on the other hand, you only play modern titles, you will primarily benefit from the general optimizations and bug fixes. Read...

In recent years, Minisforum has developed from an insider tip to a firm name in the mini PC market. The manufacturer has become renowned for its compact systems with high computing power, innovative cooling, and sophisticated designs. With the new AI X1 Pro, Minisforum wants to prove this claim – as a powerful all-round PC with integrated AI acceleration, which is not only intended for professionals and developers, but also for smart home enthusiasts and creatives. The following review shows whether the manufacturer lives up to its own claim. At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Outstanding CPU performance sufficient for the most demanding workstation and multitasking tasks Excellent and future-proof connectivity with dual 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 7, two USB4 ports and OCuLink Superior upgradeability thanks to replaceable RAM and three M.2 slots Powerful NPU allows for advanced, local AI applications Sophisticated design with integrated power supply unit and fingerprint reader Sustainable product packaging without plastic Cons Graphics performance is somewhat slowed down by the slower DDR5 RAM compared to models with soldered LPDDR5X memory Our Verdict The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is more than just a mini PC; it’s the perfect machine for technology enthusiasts who don’t want to compromise on performance, expandability, and connectivity. If you’re looking for a compact but extremely powerful and future-proof foundation for complex automation, local AI, and media server tasks, you’ll find that the AI X1 Pro is one of the most powerful mini PCs on the market today. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Minisforum AI X1 Pro Retailer Price $1,087 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Specs CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 12 cores / 24 threads, max. frequency 5.1 GHz AI performance (NPU): up to 80 TOPS Graphics: AMD Radeon 890M Memory: 64 GB, 2 × DDR5-SO-DIMM 5600 MHz Internal storage: 1 × M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD, pre-installed Kingston OM8TAP41024K1 1TB Connectivity: 2 × 2.5 Gbit/s LAN ports (RJ45), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Front connections: 2 × USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 1 × USB 4 (Alt PD Out 15 Watt, data rate up to 40 GB/s, 3.5 mm combo socket, co-pilot button, 2 × digital microphones (DMIC) Rear connections: 1 × USB2.0 Type-A, 1 × OCuLink (PCIe 4.0 ×4), 1 × USB4 (Alt PD-In 65-100 watts & PD Out 15 watts, 1 × DisplayPort 2.0, 1× HDMI 2.1 FRL, Kensington lock OS: Windows 11 Pro Dimensions: 195 × 195 × 47.5 mm (W × D × H), 1.5kg The Minisforum AI X1 Pro delivers an impressive overall package and soundly demonstrates how much performance can be packed into a mini PC today Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Design At first glance, the appearance of the AI X1 Pro with its silver-colored housing and black accents is subtly reminiscent of a Mac Mini, but this impression quickly fades when you look at the details. Minisforum takes a much more functional approach. When comparing the housings of the Minisforum AI X1 Pro and the Geekom IT15, fundamentally different design philosophies in the mini PC segment become clear. Whilst both devices focus on compactness, they pursue different goals, which is reflected in their dimensions and structure. Christoph Hoffmann With its dimensions of 195 × 195 × 47.5 millimetres, the Minisforum AI X1 Pro is a good deal larger than many of its competitors (IT15: 117 × 112 × 49.2 millimetres). Its square footprint is almost twice as large as that of the Geekom IT15. However, this larger volume is a deliberate design decision that brings two decisive advantages: Firstly, it enables the installation of an integrated power supply unit. Finally, the unsightly external brick that causes cable clutter in many mini PCs is no longer necessary. The result is a tidy and professional look. On the other hand, the larger interior offers space for more powerful cooling and superior expandability with three M.2 slots. Weighing in at 1.5kg, the AI X1 Pro is also significantly heavier due to its robust metal chassis and internal components. Despite its immense performance and internal power supply unit, the device remains compact, even if it’s slightly larger than some of its direct competitors. On the front, there are also modern conveniences such as a fingerprint reader for secure and fast login and a dedicated Co-pilot button that emphasizes the focus on AI functions. Christoph Hoffmann With a bracket, the AI X1 Pro can be placed upright or attached to the back of a monitor or even to a wall with the VESA mount. Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Features The true strength of the AI X1 Pro is revealed when you take a look at its inner values and connectivity. Minisforum has created equipment that redefines the term mini PC and makes it a real desktop alternative. The centerpiece is the ability to upgrade—a feature that has become rare in this class. At the heart of the Minisforum AI X1 Pro is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, one of the first desktop APUs based on the Zen 5 architecture. In addition to 12 CPU cores and the powerful Radeon 890M graphics, the chip comes with a dedicated NPU that delivers up to 50 TOPS of AI performance—perfect for local language models, image analysis or Co-pilot functions without cloud dependency. Instead of relying on soldered memory, the AI X1 Pro offers two SODIMM slots for up to 128GB DDR5-5600 RAM. This gives enthusiasts the freedom to customize the system to their needs—be it for memory-hungry virtual machines running Home Assistant and other services, or for complex data processing. Our test device has 64 GB of RAM, although variants with 32 and 96GB RAM are also available. Another highlight is the mass storage: three M.2 slots for fast NVMe SSDs are available. This makes it possible to realize a huge and fast storage solution, ideal for an extensive media collection. A Kingston OM8TAP41024K1 with 1TB capacity is installed in the test device. The model with 96GB RAM comes with a 2TB NVMe SSD. The variety of connections is simply outstanding and sets the AI X1 Pro apart from the competition. In addition to two USB4 ports, which enable high data rates and the connection of external GPUs, there is also a dedicated OCuLink port. This offers an even faster connection to external graphics cards and turns the mini PC into an expandable gaming or workstation platform. Christoph Hoffmann Two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure a stable and fast network connection, while Wi-Fi 7 makes wireless communication future-proof. The package is rounded off with HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, and an integrated SD card reader The Minisforum AI X1 Pro offers exceptional flexibility when connecting monitors and can operate up to four displays simultaneously. It owes this capability to a combination of modern, dedicated, and multifunctional video outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0 and two USB4 ports. This makes the AI X1 Pro a powerful centre for demanding multitasking environments, whether in the office, for creative work or as a control centre in the smart home. Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Operating system The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is installed and activated with Windows 11 25H2 during the initial setup and with an active internet connection. The setup runs smoothly and drivers and firmware are automatically up to date. Copilot integration including NPU support is active and works seamlessly. This eliminates the need for the usual retrofitting of updates or AI packages—the mini PC is immediately ready for all new Windows AI features, from local text recognition and image understanding to automated workflows. Christoph Hoffmann We do not go into detail about Windows 11 25H2 itself in the test—however, it’s clear in many places that the Minisforum AI X1 Pro fully supports the system’s new AI functions. Copilot , Recall, and local model acceleration are active and access the NPU of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 directly. As a result, AI-based tasks such as text recognition, image analysis, or voice assistance run noticeably faster and without cloud dependency—a clear indication that hardware and software are optimally harmonized here. Minisforum AI X1 Pro: Performance The Minisforum AI X1 Pro with the new AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is positioned well above the previous generation of mini PCs in terms of performance and competes directly with powerful ultrabooks and compact workstations in many scenarios. We used the PCMark 10 benchmark test to determine the desktop computing performance. This software gives us realistic values by running everyday tasks one after the other. The PCMark 10 total score of 7,809 points is in a range that only systems with high-end mobile processors such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H or the Apple M3 Pro have achieved to date. The “Essentials” (11,353 points) and “Productivity” (10,594 points) categories in particular show that everyday office, communication and multitasking applications are handled with absolute ease. The “Digital Content Creation” category with 10,746 points also demonstrates strong performance in photo and video editing—an indicator of an excellently harmonized CPU and GPU balance. Christoph Hoffmann The CPU profile from 3DMark shows excellent scaling across all thread levels: With 8,292 points at full load and 1,161 points in the single-thread test, the HX 370 is on a par with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 288V and only just behind the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS, although the chip relies on a more energy-efficient Zen 5 architecture. This means: high multi-core performance with excellent efficiency—a decisive criterion for continuous operation in compact housings. Christoph Hoffmann The system achieved 3,528 points in 3DMark Time Spy, with the integrated Radeon 890M scoring an impressive 3,152 graphics points. This GPU based on RDNA-3 is around 40 percent higher than the Radeon 780M and thus brings usable gaming performance to a mini PC without a dedicated graphics card. The Intel Core U9-285H installed in the Geekom IT15 however delivers a TimeSpy result of 4,244 points. Christoph Hoffmann Games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Fortnite or Forza Horizon 5 run smoothly in 1080p at medium to high settings with the AMD CPU. The more recent synthetic tests such as Steel Nomad Light (3,023 points, 22 FPS) and Solar Bay (14,762 points) also confirm the high efficiency for CPU graphics in DirectX 12 and ray tracing scenarios. Christoph Hoffmann The Geekbench AI Pro score of 7,007 points (quantised) illustrates the strength of the integrated NPU, which is based on the XDNA-2 architecture. This makes the HX 370 one of the few chips that can run AI workloads locally at desktop level—ideal for applications such as image analysis, transcription, or local language modeling. In comparison, the values of the Geekom IT15 with Intel Core U9-285H: 8,005 in the Quantised Score. Christoph Hoffmann Finally, the performance of the SSD is also impressive: The installed 1 TB Kingston NVMe drive achieves 6,132 MB/s read and 5,259 MB/s write in the Crystal Disk Mark, which further accelerates the system response time. Here, the X1 Pro is roughly on a par with the Geekom A9 Max with its Lexar SSD and 6,242 and 5,423 MB/s respectively. Christoph Hoffmann Is the Minisforum AI X1 Pro worth it? Overall, the Minisforum AI X1 Pro delivers an impressive overall package and soundly demonstrates how much performance can be packed into a mini PC today. With the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the powerful Radeon 890M and the integrated NPU, it combines desktop power, energy efficiency and AI capability in a compact housing. Three NVMe slots, dual 2.5 GbE, OCuLink and USB4 make it extremely versatile—whether for home office, smart home, or gaming. The workmanship and features are clearly above the class average. Only the price and the lack of 10 GbE spoil the picture slightly. Overall: a powerful, future-proof mini PC for power users. Read...

I did not have “Micron kills its consumer business” on my 2025 bingo card. The company announced the shuttering of its Crucial brand on Wednesday morning in unexpectedly simple, transparent language. The short version: Micron is concentrating on their business customers, where the demand has “surged” for memory and storage—thanks to data centers and their scaling up for AI. (Translation: ‘We can make way more money through enterprise customers, so we will.’) As noted in this same post, this decision ends 29 years of the Crucial brand. I can’t say I’m completely shocked. But I am surprised by what this move partially implies. Namely, enterprise’s hunger for memory and storage lasting for years and years. Welcome to The Full Nerd newsletter—your weekly dose of hardware talk from the enthusiasts at PCWorld. Missed the surprising topics on our YouTube show or latest news from across the web? You’re in the right place.  Want this newsletter to come directly to your inbox? Sign up on our website!  Am I nervous for consumers? Not just yet. But I am wondering if the somber estimate of RAM shortages lasting beyond this decade ends up proving true. I’m also wondering which other companies will back off consumer sales. And maybe more importantly, how such decisions will affect the development cycles and cost of new products. I don’t mean only RAM kits and SSD drives, though I could see any company producing memory or storage modules abandoning direct-to-consumer efforts. No, I mean anything that contains them, too—like graphics cards. For example, rumor has it that Nvidia may start expecting board partners to source their own memory. Individually, those smaller companies have less power to negotiate. That could then influence the pricing and quantities they get, which in turn would result in higher costs for consumers…and likely slower releases and fewer options, too. Similarly, I could see prebuilt PCs become less bleeding edge with their specs, either staying stagnant or even regressing. Sounds bad, right? So why am I not nervous? Let’s say consumers are faced with higher prices and sluggish innovation. Let’s assume too that everyday folk will push off tech upgrades for longer stretches. The market will have to adapt—and I am curious what that would look like. Chromebooks and GeForce Now have expanded what’s possible for people with low budgets or limited hardware. But I don’t want that approach to PCs to become the default.Matt Smith/Foundry To make up for lagging consumer hardware performance, does the shift to cloud computing accelerate faster? Or will software innovations make up for older, less performant consumer PCs and phones? Companies want everyone on a subscription model, but no one can afford all that exist.  I want the second scenario as our future, if we have to endure a hardware apocalypse. How can we make that happen? Consumers can vote with their dollars, and we must as things become bleaker. Local computing needs to remain a fundamental part of consumer technology. Chromebooks and GeForce Now are fantastic options, but the concepts they rely on—always online, fully dependent on remotely administered servers—cannot handle everyone’s needs. Plus, with online security devolving into a bigger and bigger dumpster fire, local computing is a defense against privacy and data leaks. When PCs first became mainstream, a basic model cost $1,500 to $2,500. Since then, consumer demand fueled the accessibility and openness of the PC—it’s a core reason for why I’m here writing these words and why you’re reading them. I don’t want to watch that die. So I’m choosing to believe we consumers can (and must) stave off such a regression. In this episode of The Full Nerd  In this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Alaina Yee, and Will Smith dig into my annual list of the best DIY gaming PCs buildable with Black Friday deals, plus our predictions for CES 2026. As gloomy as we sound, it was a fun discussion—I enjoy sifting through all the deals and then jigsaw-puzzling them into build lists. Really cool to have crossed the 10-year mark with this tradition! As for CES, we have decided not to play a drinking game based on how often “AI” is mentioned in keynotes and press releases. We’re too old to weather the guaranteed massive hangover. I lived my best streamer-beanie life during this episode. (Gordon’s takes on life were so hilarious.)Willis Lai / Foundry Missed our live show? Subscribe now to The Full Nerd Network YouTube channel, and activate notifications. We also answer viewer questions in real-time! Don’t miss out on our NEW shows too—you can catch episodes of Dual Boot Diaries and The Full Nerd: Extra Edition now! And if you need more hardware talk during the rest of the week, come join our Discord community—it’s full of cool, laid-back nerds.  This week’s packed nerd news I came back from our holiday weekend feeling as if I hadn’t heard much news. But plenty still happened behind the noise of AI and its affect on hardware, even if it wasn’t particularly cheery. So on theme with Thanksgiving, I’m grateful to all the wonderfully crazy weirdos who do things like play Minecraft on a receipt printer—I find it great for morale as a hardware enthusiast. And a lover of doing dumb, harmless things for entertainment. That drive is pretty tiny.Mark Hachman / Foundry Long live emoticons: I’m in the minority of folks who still use emoticons, rather than emoji, for conversations. Reading up on emoticon history (as cataloged by former PCWorld contributor Benj Edwards) put a real smile on my face. It was simpler times then. Though humans were still very human. Am I old now? No, it’s the children who are wrong: I identified strongly with this rant from my colleague Mark Hachman, about the physical size of modern external SSDs. (I have too many things to track these days…) So…Year of Linux for real? According to the Zorin OS developers, the latest release of their distro hit an all-time high of 1 million downloads in just five weeks. Steve benchmarked a bunch of Linux games, btw: Our friend Steve Burke & team over at Gamers Nexus dove deep into Linux gaming performance. If you’ve been curious about how a switch off Windows would go, definitely check out this video. Microsoft’s new ugly holiday sweaters are kind of… cute? Except that Zune one. Burn it with fire. Also, it’s a no for me on the Copilot logo mixed in with ’90s nostalgia. And the Xbox one is okay only if you’re a huge brand fanatic. …Okay, yeah, let’s just skip all of these. An expensive slice of Pi: Sadly, RAM pricing affects our favorite budget single-board computer, too. Oh no: I don’t want Google Gemini on my phone. I also rely heavily on Google Assistant to set reminders for me. If this goes beyond just Android Auto, March 2026 may be the month where everyone finds out just how truly bad I am at keeping track of things on my own. ð?? Yep, that’s Minecraft on a receipt printout.smilly (YouTube) / Tom’s Hardware Playing Minecraft on a receipt printer is a thing? Well, it was for a YouTuber who decided to give a go. Very entertaining concept. Almost as good as playing games with bananas or pomegranates. Friends laughed at my living room PC. But who’s laughing now? I mean, really no one, because Netflix killing casting support is just a crappy bit of news. But I do feel vindicated about the little buddy attached to my TV. My kind of ethical hacking: Organizers at Kawaiicon in New Zealand built a system to monitor CO2 levels in the air, as a proxy for viral infection risk. Pretty dang neat bit of hacking. (It’s a hacker conference though, so I guess the digital kind went wild and free, for science and fun.) (Yes, a hacker con, not an anime con.) (No, I did not expect that either.) On the topic of privacy: Proton just released an Excel alternative for its users. In combination with its Word alternative (Proton Docs), it’s now a possible viable alternative to Google’s free webapps. Time to roll up my sleeves and give it a spin, for the sake of reporting. Japan invents ‘human washing machine’: But fails to consider what will not get washed if a human sits in a recliner the whole time while being (gently) hosed down. (Ew.) I expected more from the land that gave us high-tech bidets. Uh oh. Cherry is having big financial problems: To stay afloat, parts of their business will be sold—and production of their well-known switches will shift from Germany to China and Slovakia. Feels like the Cherry we knew will not be the one that survives. RAM is so expensive, Samsung won’t even sell it to Samsung: My colleague Mike Crider has a way with headlines—and this one’s so good I had to include it here, even though everyone’s saturated with memory-related news. It is quite the sign of the times.  I have a dilemma: As mentioned on the show, I have an insufficient quantity of holiday sweaters for our December episodes. Should go with a classy holiday sweater to round out my collection? Or should I lean even harder into the ugly holiday sweater theme? Decisions, decisions. Catch you all next week! ~Alaina This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of hardware at PCWorld. Read...

The findings contribute to a controversial debate that pits green technology against the environment. Read...