Windows 11

Windows 11 is showing up as a more serious development platform, with Intel's Firefly effort aiming to make Windows-powered laptops cheaper, thinner, and more standardized. That push fits a broader shift toward tighter hardware-software integration on portable PCs, echoing the kind of efficiency gains developers usually associate with more controlled ecosystems. xda-developers.com What Intel Firefly actually means for Windows laptops (and why it's not just another processor) Rich Edmonds Jun 16, 2026, 7:01 AM EDT Richard is the PC Hardware Lead at XDA and has been covering the technology industry for almost two… xda-developers.com standard-tier 2026-06-16 View full article → windowscentral.com Windows Central Podcast: A massive week for Windows and Xbox It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks in the tech world! Following a busy stretch of trade shows, Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden sit down… windowscentral.com standard-tier 2026-06-16 View full article →

Microsoft is also leaving advanced performance control on the table for power users: a hidden Processor Performance Boost Mode in Windows 11 can be exposed through the Registry to fine-tune CPU boost behavior, power use, and thermals. The setting adds more granular options than the standard Power Options view, giving experienced users another way to shape how a machine behaves under load. guru3d.com Hidden Windows 11 CPU Boost Settings Allow Users to Fine-Tune Performance and Efficiency Microsoft has quietly included a number of advanced processor power-management controls in Windows 11 that remain hidden from the standard Power Options interface. By modifying… guru3d.com standard-tier 2026-06-16 View full article →

On the hardware side, Dell's new XPS 13 is now on sale starting at $599 for students and $699 for everyone else, with Intel Core Series 3 models, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and a 2.5K 120Hz display. That mix of pricing and specs makes the Windows laptop story look increasingly practical for developers who want a lightweight machine rather than a dedicated Linux VM. windowscentral.com Dell's new XPS 13 shocked us all with its premium quality, and it's now available starting at $599 Dell's new XPS 13 for 2026 , which was only just announced at Computex a couple of weeks ago, is now available to buy .… windowscentral.com standard-tier 2026-06-16 View full article →