PC makers

Microsoft and PC makers have stopped using the Copilot+ branding on new Windows 11 laptops, phasing out the label that was meant to mark AI-capable machines. Reports describe the AI PC branding as tarnished and quietly pulled back rather than formally retired, raising questions about how Microsoft will market AI features in future hardware.

German outlets are running stories tied to the word 'Spiel' across different topics. PC Games reports that Pony Island, from the maker of Inscryption, is temporarily free on Steam. Meanwhile, WEB.DE reports that Munich declined to host Serbia's game, and KINO.DE notes ZDF is changing its programming for current reasons.

Micron's DRAM revenue jumped 343% compared with the same period last year, driven by a global shortage of RAM. The memory crunch has pushed up prices and demand, handing major memory makers a windfall. Commenters are weighing what the spike means for PC builders, device makers and consumers facing higher memory costs.

Gartner forecasts that an ongoing memory chip shortage will push PC prices up by 17% in 2026. The projected rise reflects tight supply of DRAM and NAND as demand from AI data centers competes with consumer device production. The forecast is drawing attention from PC makers, buyers and enterprise procurement teams weighing when to purchase hardware.

DDR4 memory, a standard introduced more than a decade ago, is seeing renewed demand as PC makers and gamers scramble during a shortage of newer DDR5 RAM. Intel and AMD platforms that still support DDR4 are being revisited, and older memory modules are selling again as prices for current-generation RAM climb, according to The Verge.

Micron's chief executive said the memory market will be considerably tighter in 2027 and 2028 than in 2026, signaling continued constraints on DRAM and NAND availability. The comments point to sustained demand from AI data centers outpacing supply growth, raising expectations of higher memory prices and longer lead times for PC, phone and server makers in the coming years.

HP Inc., the Palo Alto-based PC and printer maker, is seeing heightened interest in its stock, traded on the NYSE under the ticker HPQ. Investors are tracking its share price, quotes and market history through financial data providers as they weigh the company's performance and outlook.

A Reddit user bought a second-hand PC that turned out to be a rented machine, which was then remotely blocked by its rental company. Fragile, the rental partner of PC maker NZXT, stepped in and helped the scammed buyer by replacing the computer with a new one. The case highlights the risks of buying used hardware and how rental firms' remote-lock systems affect innocent buyers.

Tinkerers have jailbroken the first-generation Amazon Echo Spot, replacing its firmware with a custom Android skin and setting it up to report back to a PC. The modification turns Amazon's smart display into a general-purpose Android device, free of Alexa. Owners of the original model can reportedly replicate the process on their own hardware.

A compact do-it-yourself power station project has been showcased as capable of running a desktop PC. The build demonstrates that a small, self-assembled battery unit can deliver enough sustained output for power-hungry computer hardware, not just phones or lights. Makers and off-grid enthusiasts are taking an interest, as commercial portable power stations with similar capacity often cost significantly more than the components needed for a homemade version.

Elgato, long the dominant brand in desktop hardware for creators, is moving into portable gear with its first wireless microphone. The $99.99 Wave Go clips onto clothing much like DJI's Mic Mini and is aimed at creators recording on the go rather than at a powerful desktop setup. The launch pits Elgato directly against established compact mic makers and signals a push beyond its core PC peripherals business.

PC makers are expanding memory capacity in new devices while software platforms make it easier to run larger open-weight AI models directly on hardware. The shift reduces dependence on cloud services, bringing AI workloads closer to the user and blurring the line between cloud-scale computing and on-device inference, according to DigiTimes Asia.

Industrial computing maker AAEON has launched a mini PC that uses AirJet active cooling, the solid-state membrane cooling technology developed by Frore Systems. The design allows a compact fanless-style chassis while still actively dissipating heat, drawing interest among enthusiasts following small-form-factor PC developments.

Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball has refuted a report claiming console makers secured an exclusive cloud streaming deal for GTA 6 at launch. However, his remarks indicate the game will not be playable on PC via Xbox's cloud streaming services when it launches, limiting launch options to consoles.

VR hardware maker Pimax has unveiled a new wireless headset alongside foveated streaming technology and updated controllers, drawing comparisons to Valve's own hardware direction. Coverage quips that Pimax is taking a page from Valve's playbook, with the design also likened to a taller version of a Steam Machine. The announcements suggest Pimax is pushing aggressively into high-end, PC-tethered VR accessories.

Liliputing's latest news roundup highlights three projects: the Banana Pi BPI-CM7, a new compute module for single-board computer builds; a so-called modern iPod, a portable media player inspired by the classic Apple device; and a homemade mini laptop built around an ATmega2560 microcontroller. The roundup collects DIY hardware projects and small PC news for hobbyists and tinkerers following the maker scene.

Intel and AMD are developing new processor lines that support DDR4 memory, a decade-old standard, in response to relentless price inflation for newer memory modules. Motherboard maker Gigabyte has confirmed work tied to the effort, giving PC builders an option to bypass steep premiums on current-generation memory. The move reverses the industry's long push toward newer standards and is being discussed as a historic shift for desktop computing.

Lenovo Group Limited, the Chinese technology maker trading as LNVGY on over-the-counter markets, is drawing attention as investors check its stock price, quotes and historical performance. The company, one of the world's largest PC manufacturers, remains a regular fixture on financial watchlists, with market watchers following its share movements alongside broader tech sector trends.

Gaming PCs are increasingly being positioned as local platforms for running AI workloads, with modern graphics cards marketed on their AI performance. The discussion centres on what AI features and tools gamers can realistically run on their own hardware, and whether gaming machines are becoming general-purpose AI computers.

British audio technology firm Audioscenic has appointed Chris Spearing as its new chief executive, with a mandate to speed up commercial growth in gaming and the PC market. The company, known for spatial audio software that creates sound outside the plane of a screen, is positioning the leadership change as a step toward wider adoption among hardware makers and gamers.

A Reuters Breakingviews commentary argues that the AI boom has handed Lenovo's parent, Legend Holdings, a tricky bind. The piece suggests surging interest in artificial intelligence has boosted the value of Lenovo's stake, but ties the holding company's fortunes closely to the PC maker and makes selling or restructuring the position harder — a golden handcuffs problem for the parent.

Chinese memory maker CXMT has started mass producing its fifth-generation G5 DRAM chips, and PC makers are already placing orders. The move signals CXMT is closing the technology gap with established suppliers like Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron, and could affect global DRAM pricing and supply dynamics as demand for memory from PC and AI hardware keeps rising.