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 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.

PCWorld reports Acer unveiled two new Snapdragon-powered laptops at Computex 2026: the Swift Spin 14 AI and budget-focused Aspire Go 15. The Swift Spin 14 AI features Snapdragon X2 Elite/Plus chips with 80 TOPS AI performance, while the Aspire Go 15 uses a Snapdragon C chip prioritizing portability. Acer emphasizes exceptional battery life with the Aspire Go 15 offering up to 23 hours, marking the company's first Snapdragon entry into budget laptops. Acer showed off two new Snapdragon-powered laptops at Computex 2026: the Swift Spin 14 AI and the Aspire Go 15. The Swift Spin 14 AI is definitely the flashier one, but the cheaper Aspire Go 15 feels like the bigger story and I want to tell you why. Acer is finally bringing a lower-end Snapdragon chip into its budget lineup. Most people shopping for a cheap laptop care more about battery life anyway, and that's what Snapdragon chips do well.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Anker's 8-in-1 USB-C Hub with dual 4K HDMI and 85W passthrough charging is now $40 at Amazon, matching its all-time low. One issue I have with my laptop is that it lacks ports. Fortunately, it's an easy problem to solve--all you need is a hub. Anker's 8-in-1 PowerExpand USB-C Hub is on sale for $40 at Amazon right now, matching its lowest ever price and down from its original $54.

PCWorld reports Microsoft's new Surface for Business lineup features Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and a notable privacy screen technology for protecting sensitive information. The 13-inch Surface Laptop maintains its $1,499 price while the Surface Pro increased significantly to $1,949, offering up to 17 hours battery life and triple monitor support. The standout privacy screen feature prevents others from viewing displays, making these incremental updates particularly appealing for business security needs. Microsoft announced new Surface for Business laptops and tablets on Tuesday. Sadly, you already know what to expect: three new Surface Laptops, in 13-and 15-inch display sizes, and a new Surface Pro tablet, too.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Your AI agent does not need you to carry your laptop like a pizza! Refusing to close your laptop while walking to and from meetings -- even through airports! Windows can prevent that from happening. Here's what's going on: AI-obsessed techies are moving through the world while their AI agents work busily at their own virtual desks, carrying their open laptops around like pizzas.

PCWorld explores seven overlooked laptop utility features that offer genuine value, from Asus's AI noise-canceling and MyAsus Target Mode to Samsung's connected ecosystem controls. These hidden capabilities matter for productivity and comfort, including eyestrain reduction, touchpad customization, and automatic system maintenance across major brands. Standout features include Lenovo Vantage's self-healing diagnostics and Surface app's customizable right-click regions, though some implementations like HP's Enhanced Lighting have practical limitations. One of the unsung productivity heroes of your laptop is the humble utility app. It's the piece of software your laptop manufacturer installs to manage and customize your device.

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.

Lenovo's latest ThinkPad X13 Gen 7 helps launch the AMD Ryzen AI 400, a chip we haven't seen anything of since its January launch. The laptop has also earned itself a top score from iFixit for its accessible, replaceable components.