They were all-stars of the dot-com era before fading into the background as the bubble burst and a new generation of tech darlings rose to the forefront. But Dell, Nokia and Lenovo are back with a vengeance thanks to the unrelenting artificial intelligence spending boom. A rush to build out AI infrastructure has led to soaring demand for everything from computer servers to storage components, networking gear and even legacy chips. That's resulted in a frenetic rally in stocks around the world with any sort of exposure to those areas. The latest surge has swept up iconic tech names from the 1990s, including many of the so-called "Four Horsemen" -- a group considered the equivalent of the Magnificent Seven cohort during that era. In addition to Dell, Nokia and Lenovo, high fliers from the dot-com days that have caught fire again this year include Micron Technology Inc., Intel Corp., Texas Instruments Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc.

PCWorld reports that Nvidia's rumored N1X chip could revolutionize Windows laptops with a 20-core CPU, Blackwell GPU, and impressive AI performance potentially rivaling Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite. The N1X represents Nvidia's entry into laptop processors, promising better battery life and AI capabilities as laptop costs soar and consumers seek affordable alternatives. However, gaming performance may suffer due to x86 emulation challenges that plague all Arm-based processors, limiting the chip's appeal for gamers. Nvidia is evidently not content to be the world's most valuable company, as the AI and GPU giant now appears primed to dive headfirst into the choppy waters of the laptop processor market. Whether that will help or hurt its fortunes remains to be seen, as the Internet has been aflame this month with rumors that Nvidia will unveil a new "N1X" chip this week at Computex alongside a weaker N1 chip - and the word is both will be SoC (system-on-chip) silicon aimed at Windows laptops. That could be a big deal for anyone who wants to buy a laptop in the next few years, because everything I've heard about the N1X suggests it's optimized for AI performance, battery life, and perhaps even gaming. If Nvidia's efforts to partner with companies like MediaTek and Intel has produced a capable CPU married to a svelte Nvidia GPU on a single chip, utilizing Nvidia's expertise in building high-performance systems for AI and enterprise use, that's potentially a game-changer for the laptop market - and a big challenge to AMD, Apple, and Qualcomm's flagship laptop chips.

PCWorld anticipates Nvidia's N1X launch at Computex, featuring an Arm-based APU with 20 CPU cores and Blackwell graphics that could match RTX 5060 laptop performance. The article highlights growing concerns about PC hardware affordability, with examples like Steam Deck price increases suggesting higher costs may become the norm. This trend matters for consumers as powerful new hardware from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel may deliver impressive performance but potentially at premium prices that limit accessibility. The PC industry is once again on the brink of a pivotal moment in history--or so appears to be the case, given the rumors about Computex next week. In particular, the internet anticipates the launch of Nvidia's N1X, an Arm-based APU expected to marry ferocious CPU performance with equally knockout GPU chops.

PCWorld reports that budget Windows laptops are becoming competitive again with new Intel Wildcat Lake and Qualcomm Snapdragon C processors targeting $300-$449 price points. These chips promise significant performance improvements and all-day battery life, with major manufacturers like Acer, HP, and Lenovo planning affordable models. The emerging budget laptops offer a strong alternative to expensive options like Apple's MacBook Neo, making powerful computing accessible to more consumers. Two years ago, budget PCs were often passed over in favor of expensive, premium laptops. Now, they're all anyone can talk about.

Japan is one of many locations in Asia where Chinese companies access American AI chips -- by renting hardware that's owned by foreign firms and installed in overseas data centers. Taiwan prosecutors suspect that three individuals successfully smuggled at least one shipment of Nvidia artificial intelligence chips to China after first exporting them to Japan, people familiar with the matter said. The trio was detained last week by Taiwan's Keelung District Prosecutors Office for allegedly falsifying documents related to exports of Super Micro Computer servers containing advanced Nvidia chips, which the U.S. has barred from sale to China without a license from Washington. The move marked the island democracy's first public crackdown on AI chip diversion after years of pressure from the U.S. to take a more active role in curtailing China's tech access. When Taiwan authorities apprehended the three defendants -- who've now been officially detained -- they also seized about 50 servers for which they accuse the trio of preparing fraudulent export documents. But at least one shipment had already gone through Taiwan customs, according to the people familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity to speak about an ongoing criminal investigation.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Memorial Day is right up ahead and there are some impressive deals mixed in with the weaker ones. No worries, though, because I've gone through and found the most bang-for-your-buck deals across five categories: budget, portable, gaming, premium, and productivity. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x for $599.99 (now $370 off -- was $969.99) Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 3x is the perfect pick for students and budget-conscious professionals who prioritize battery life, portability, and everyday responsiveness.

Tata-ASML deal: How significant is it for India's semiconductor push? India's Tata Electronics has signed a deal with the Dutch technology giant ASML (Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography) to build India's first front-end semiconductor fabrication plant as New Delhi pushes to develop a domestic semiconductor manufacturing base. Front-end manufacturing refers to the building of microscopic circuits onto a blank silicon wafer using specialised lithographic machines. ASML is a pioneer of lithographic technology used in the mass production of microchips across the world. Semiconductor chips power modern technology and are critical for everything from smartphones and cars to artificial intelligence systems and defence technology.

PCWorld addresses whether external streaming devices are necessary when modern TVs include built-in smart platforms like Roku or Fire TV. Streaming sticks like Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Apple TV 4K offer faster performance, cleaner ad-free interfaces, and broader app selection than many smart TV processors. External devices provide exclusive features like dialogue boost, ensure continued updates for older TVs, and simplify 4K HDR compatibility issues. Buying a new TV and a new streaming device used to be separate decisions, as televisions didn't always come with adequate smart TV software. These days, though, it's virtually impossible to buy a television that isn't a smart TV, with Roku, Fire TV, or other streaming platforms built in. So whenever I write about the latest streaming devices--like Amazon's new Fire TV Stick or Walmart's latest Onn players --inevitably some folks will ask me what's the point. Why bother using an external streaming box or stick when your TV already supports the same apps? Naturally I have answers to that question, but that doesn't mean everyone should abandon their smart TV software in favor of a separate streaming device. Let's walk through the merits of both.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4 is a typical workstation affair. It’s fairly potent but big, bulky, and pricey. Next to consumer laptops, its performance doesn’t impress, and new Panther Lake hardware threatens it at every turn.

PCWorld reveals that laptop manufacturers include hidden utility apps offering advanced controls for battery charging, display color gamuts, fan speeds, and audio settings not available in Windows. These manufacturer-specific applications like Lenovo Vantage and MyAsus provide essential features including battery conservation modes, OLED burn-in protection, and performance adjustments without requiring reboots. Users should explore their laptop's pre-installed utility software to unlock customization options, monitor system health, and access firmware updates for improved security and performance. You probably know how to tweak your mouse, control your background, and adjust your laptop's sleep times, all from the Windows Settings pages. But there's a whole host of new capabilities hidden away within your laptop's utility application, and it may be the only place to find them.