… Recent reports suggest that Microsoft is backing away from more AI in Windows 11. The past two years have seen a huge push by Microsoft to incorporate its Copilot AI into Windows, starting with Copilot+ PCs in 2024. But recent data shows that Copilot+ PCs are a bust. …
… Some gamers, however, reject the notion of "fake frames," where AI tries to correctly guess what the GPU would otherwise render. Both of these DirectX technologies would push this concept further. …
… Real-time webcam and microphone effects Microsoft is really pushing Windows Studio Effects as part of its Copilot+ PC suite of AI features, and many of the latest laptops I'm reviewing have "AI webcam effects" packages preinstalled. If you have a Copilot+ PC laptop, try using Windows Studio Effects. …
… The AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 with 16GB DDR5 RAM won't choke on Windows 11, and that CPU qualifies it as a Copilot+ PC, so you get access to all the AI features in the operating system. That RAM is user-upgradeable, too, so you can push it up to 32GB later when the RAM shortage subsides . …
… Microsoft has been forced to scale back its ambitions for embedding Copilot deeply into Windows 11 after widespread pushback, shelving plans to integrate AI into core areas like notifications and system settings because users found the features intrusive, unnecessary, and emblematic of “AI bloat” r… …
… On-demand PC self healing Lenovo Vantage Lenovo just enabled this new feature as I was writing this story, so I can't say for certain what it does or how effective it will be. …
… For basic browsing, Office work, email, video calls, and light multitasking, a well-kept older laptop may still be good enough — and keeping it could be the smarter buy. The world wants you to buy a new PC. Feel free to say no At one time, six or seven years in the PC industry was an eon. …
… In addition to PCWorld, his work can be found on Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Reviewed, IGN, and Lifewire. Matthew also covers AI and the metaverse for IEEE Spectrum and runs Computer Gaming Yesterday, a YouTube channel devoted to PC gaming history. …
… My brain is very full. And a little anxious, but hey, AI! Catch you all next week! Alaina This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of hardware at PCWorld.