The new XPS 14 has caught my attention mainly because, according to Dell, it represents a substantial hardware pivot. The XPS 14 goes back to the basics of what made the laptop so special, moving past its controversial design and somewhat questionable branding experimentations of past "Dell Premium " iterations. The revised XPS 14 features an updated architecture, enhanced efficiency, and a return to some traditional physical input ports.

In this new monthly (long-overdue) edition of Hardware Breakdown, I'll take a look under the hood to see what makes this ultraportable device so special.

When a processor overheats, your system will give you clear signs that something is drastically wrong. However, modern CPUs have built-in safety mechanisms that will prevent your hardware from being destroyed. The thing is, most visible signs can manifest as either severe performance drops, software instability, or physical cues from your PC case. Diagnosing an overheated processor indeed can be a bit tricky.

At Computex 2026, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang unveiled the NVIDIA RTX Spark “superchip,” a Windows-on-ARM consumer processor built in collaboration with MediaTek, marking Nvidia’s entry into the consumer PC CPU market and a direct challenge to Apple Silicon and Qualcomm. The chip is positioned around, enabling local, autonomous AI agents that run in the background rather than focusing on launching traditional software.

The nerve-wracking part of building a PC is installing a motherboard, and with good reason. It's the most important component of the PC architecture. It governs communication among high-speed storage, memory interfaces, compute engines, and expansion hardware. Installing the motherboard incorrectly can cause the system to fail POST (Power-On Self-Test) and lead to sudden localized electrical faults, catastrophic grounding shorts, and structural stresses that can render the board inoperable.

Building a stable, reliable, high-performance system requires a methodical approach. With that said, if it’s your first time building a PC, let me guide you through installing the motherboard properly.

Well, folks, it seems as if reasonably priced premium handheld consoles have officially come to an end, at least for now. After months of frustrating out-of-stock notices from the company and retail outlets, Valve's Steam Deck OLED is finally back in stock — but there is that caveat. In a sudden update, Valve has significantly raised the prices of its flagship, dare I say iconic, handheld by as much as 45%, citing global supply chain pressure and skyrocketing component costs. Take a wild guess what that component is. Let me explain further.

I don't think people understand the technological importance of lithium-ion batteries. It's in every single device we own. Whether you're scrolling on your smartphone, accelerating an electric vehicle, or waking a laptop from sleep, your lithium-ion battery powers these devices. At the heart of the battery's functionality is an elegant electromagnetic engine that stores massive amounts of energy without burning any fuel--shifting the lightest solid element on the back of the periodic table back and forth between two molecular cells. Let me explain further.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) introduces much-anticipated component upgrades, including next-generation processors and enhanced display capabilities that gamers dream of. However, this ultra-powerful device comes with a slew of compromises.

Here are my primary reasons why you shouldn’t buy the 2026 model.

The Yunzii B75 Pro mechanical keyboard has become a favorite among the mechanical keyboard community. The peripheral is highly regarded as one of the best-value options on the market. The keyboard itself has several enthusiast-grade features typically found in premium custom options for under $80. With that said, I've listed several reasons why this mechanical keyboard offers such an incredible value.

If you plan to buy a new laptop, you should know it is a major investment that comes with ongoing hardware refreshes, so choosing the ideal device that will serve your needs can be very challenging. However, if you are in the market for a new laptop, the current landscape offers a variety of choices at variable prices, tailoring to different budgets.

With that said, if you just came upon this website and just so happen to be shopping for a laptop, you're in luck. I present three standout laptops that will deliver exceptional value, performance, and battery life. Read on

Dear readers, the smartphone market is dead. It has reached a point of diminishing returns. Often, annual upgrades feel like minor iterations, yet many consumers are still willing to shell out thousands for the latest big thing (well, small thing) in mobile tech. The smartphones we see fit need to change. We need to evolve the smartphone from its current boring state. However, to truly reinvent the device, the primary focus must shift from improving specs to fundamentally changing how we interact with the technology.

Based on my research into current industry trends and emerging technologies, I identified five features that can totally reinvent the smartphone.

I found a processor-and-motherboard bundle you might be interested in: the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and the Asus B650E MAX Gaming WiFi. This particular bundled hardware is often cited as top-tier and is highly sought after by many PC enthusiasts for its well-balanced, future-proofing design and high-performance throughput. This specific hardware pairing is designed to maximize the longevity of the AM5 platform while providing high-speed connectivity for modern gaming and content creation.

Trying to build a Small Form Factor PC can be very challenging yet very rewarding; it's like solving a complex tech puzzle. You are working with limited space, which typically measures under 20 liters. Selecting the right components for an SFF is more critical than selecting components for a mid-tower system. In my latest installment of the monthly tutorial, I'm going to guide you through the complexities of building a "mini PC".

If you have been a frequent follower of this website and have read most of the published articles, you know I'm a big fan of Anker’s devices, which have earned positive reviews from consumers and me alike. With that said, I just purchased what I consider a dream charger: one brick (charging brick, that is) that can charge multiple devices. Ladies and gentlemen, I am introducing the Anker 735 65W 3-port foldable charger (the Nano II 735), designed to be the only charger you'll need to power up multiple devices while on the go, including MacBook, iPhone, and Samsung smartphones. After using the device for the past two weeks, it's clear that the Anker 735 is definitely a powerhouse. However, a few details need to be outlined in this review.

Ever since Samsung, Google, and other companies released their foldable smartphones with resounding success, the question everyone has been asking is when Apple will release its iPhone Fold. Because at this point, thier version of a foldable smartphone will inevitably come to fruition.

All signs point to it happening and may arrive in the near future. Current industry reports and supply chain leaks suggest that Apple is planning a major launch for late 2026.

Here's an age-old question regarding computers: how much RAM is enough? This is a daily conversation amongst us enthusiasts that has shifted from a numerical target to workflow efficiency and hardware longevity. While 8GB was once the standard, modern computers — driven by resource-hungry web browsers, background AI processes, and high-fidelity assets — have forced many, both PC enthusiasts and manufacturers, to raise the baseline. Meaning you need 6 times the minimum standard RAM capacity.

Block, the company behind its well-known and widely used financial apps (Cash App, Square, and AfterPay), has just launched the next-generation BitKey Wallet. Launched in 2024, the new version adds a physical display, new features, and a new design.

Here is everything you need to know about the new BitKey device and how it works, as I may purchase it in the near future.

Finding a Windows alternative to the MacBook Neo was pretty hard, at least for me. It involved balancing its very unique $599 price point with an ultra-portable, fanless design. While the Neo is fitted with the iPhone's A18 Pro processor and a high-resolution 13-inch Liquid Retina display, Windows competitors offer double the RAM and storage, at a similar or lower price. With that said, I found three Windows 11 laptops comparable to Apple's MacBook Neo.

Whether you’re managing a mobile workstation, powering a Steam Deck, or simplifying a desktop setup, having the right charger is essential—especially if you need to keep multiple devices charged while you’re on the go. That said, here are the three must-haves: Anker chargers that should power your devices.

In the ever-evolving landscape of wireless mice, where "Frame Sync" and haptic-inductive clicks are the dominant marketing features of high-end peripherals, my four-year-old Logitech Lightspeed mouse still performs well. A true testament to a well-engineered product. While other technologies have come and gone, Lightspeed technology is still the gold standard for one reason only: it solved the latency issue that plagued many mice in years past.

Let's expand on why the Logitech Lightspeed wireless mouse remains the go-to peripheral I still use from time to time.  Read on.

The AMD Ryzen 9800X3D has secured its spot as my " hardware pick of the week" (or maybe the year, according to many publications). This particular processor represents the pinnacle of gaming efficiency and value, even with the upcoming refresh chips entering the market this month. While many enthusiasts have their eyes set on the newly released 9850X3D, the 9800X3D remains the obvious choice for several reasons I've listed in this post.