ComputersNews

The day my power strip almost killed my PC

December 16, 2025
Welp, it finally happened. I was deep in the throes of a complex edit when I heard a crackling noise. It was faint at first… then it got louder. It wasn’t long before an unpleasant burning smell filled my office. The power strip underneath my desk was in the process of jumping ship and, in a panic, I shut down my PC and yanked out all the plugs. My power strip didn’t have surge…
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ComputersNews

Framework raises laptop RAM prices 50% as brutal memory crunch grinds on

December 15, 2025
Framework is a unique company, offering modular laptops designed for easy repairs and near-infinite upgrades. But it’s also a small company, much more susceptible to market changes brought on by things like capricious tariffs. Though it’s tried to insulate itself from skyrocketing RAM prices brought on by “AI” datacenter demand, something had to give. And that “something” is laptop…
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ComputersNews

Sick of Windows 11’s bloat? These open-source tools fix it

December 15, 2025
Windows 11 comes with numerous applications by default that offer little added value for many users — but still take up memory, clutter the Start menu, and start additional background processes. This so-called bloatware includes pre-installed tools, trial versions, games…
ComputersNews

Corsair’s new case has a 14.5-inch touchscreen on the side. I don’t get it

December 12, 2025
I’ve been building computers for the better part of two decades. And most of them look like little avant-garde refrigerators. I don’t do RGB, and I definitely don’t do screens on the inside. So my immediate reaction to the Corsair Frame 3000D LCD RS ARGB is…well, to take a deep breath after saying that name. But my second reaction is to cringe at the tablet-sized touchscreen on the side.
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ComputersNews

Microsoft says Windows 11 will be better for gaming in 2026, pinkie swear

December 11, 2025
With the Steam Deck still the favorite of the handheld gaming PC market by a wide margin, and Valve poised to make a swing at console-style living room PCs with the second-gen Steam Machine, Microsoft might be feeling a little nervous about gaming on Windows 11. As well it should. A short Windows blog update says that Microsoft is working on gaming performance. “We’re committed to making…
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