Category: Hardware

After a somewhat long pause in updating firmware for Surface devices, Microsoft is back with fresh patches for its computers. The October 2021 firmware updates are now available for Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Pro 7 Plus (business-oriented version of Surface Laptop 7 with improved internals, which Microsoft released at the beginning of the year). Continue reading "October 2021 firmware update is available for Surface Laptop 2 and Pro 7 Plus"

Intel released a new DCH graphics driver for systems running Windows 11. Version 30.0.100.9955 is now available for compatible computers, and it brings various improvements and bug fixes. Continue reading "The latest Intel GPU driver brings more improvements for Windows 11"

Microsoft started rolling out the latest firmware update for the first-gen Surface Duo. The October 2021 update for the dual-screen smartphone from Microsoft is yet another patch that contains nothing but regular Android security patches. It is now the sixth update without device-specific improvements, bug fixes, or patches, not to mention a new Android version. Continue reading "Surface Duo gets another minor firmware update"

In today's episode of "Why you should not update to Windows 11 yet" and "Everyone hates printers," we have printing issues, specifically with printers from Brother. According to the official documentation from the popular printer manufacturer, users might encounter severe problems with their printers after upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11. Continue reading "Updating to Windows 11 might break your Brother printer"

If you have a Windows 10 PC with a modern AMD CPU that officially supports Windows 11 and consider moving to the newest operating system, you might need to delay the upgrade. According to numerous reports from early adopters, AMD-based systems experience noticeable performance dips after upgrading to Windows 11. And that is not just yet another exaggerated "report" from websites seeking clicks. On its official support website, AMD has officially confirmed problems users might encounter after installing Windows 11. Continue reading "AMD is fixing Windows 11 performance issues on Ryzen-based systems"

Rumors say that Microsoft and AMD are working together to create a new ARM CPU for notebooks. It will significantly outperform existing Qualcomm solutions. As a result, we can see some really powerful devices running Windows on ARM, including the updated Surface Pro X and Samsung Galaxy Book Go. Continue reading "Microsoft and AMD are building a powerful ARM CPU for Laptops"

A few weeks ago, there were rumors on the Internet that Microsoft and Seagate are teamed up to release a 512GB memory expansion card for the Xbox Series X|S game consoles. Moreover, advertisements for new devices were found in two French retail stores. Continue reading "Enthusiasts spotted 512 GB memory expansion cards for Xbox Series X|S"

On September 22, 2021, Microsoft announced a second-gen Surface Duo. The smartphone with a somewhat unconventional design received plenty of much-needed improvements: the latest CPU from Qualcomm, 5G support, NFC, screens with 90Hz refresh rate, bigger batteries, etc. Surface Duo 2 runs Android 11 out of the box, and Microsoft promises to deliver Android 12 soon. Continue reading "Microsoft promises to support Surface Duo for three years"

Despite reports of Microsoft planning to release Android 11 for the original Surface Duo "this Summer," Microsoft failed to deliver a proper Android upgrade for its quirky dual-screen smartphone. Traditional Android smartphones are now on track to receive Android 12, but the original Surface Duo remains hopelessly stuck with Android 10 for more than a year after the initial release. Microsoft now says those owning the original Surface Duo should expect the company to release Android 11 "before the end of the year." Continue reading "Microsoft: the original Surface Duo will get Android 11 before the end of the year."

So, the annual Microsoft Surface event is over (but you can check its highlights on YouTube). The Redmond software giant introduced a bunch of new devices, including Surface Pro 8, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Duo 2, Surface Go 3, Surface Pro X, and a number of new accessories. Here are the devices announced today. Continue reading "Devices announced at Microsoft Surface Event 2021"