Latest news with #Notebookcheck
Tom's Guide
23-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Steam Deck 2 rumored to be in the works — and it may arrive with a massive AMD APU upgrade
The rumored Steam Deck 2 is one of the most hotly anticipated gaming handhelds, and while it may be a while before it launches, Valve may finally have its reason to start working on its next-gen gaming device. According to a recent Moore's Law is Dead podcast (via Notebookcheck), internal sources suggest that Valve is working on its next device, pointing to a Steam Deck 2. What's more, it's tipped to deliver a major performance boost based on a now-leaked AMD "Magnus" Zen 6 APU, which is expected to power the PS6 and next Xbox. As reported, this processor is already rumored to be the driving force of next-gen consoles, as Moore's Law is Dead found ties with codenames found in the leaked documents. Notably, "Mero," with this being an unused codename for the Steam Deck's APU. Along with YouTuber Jimmy Champagne, the video discusses Valve's possible plans for its future roadmap, which includes a rumored Valve home console and hints at a subtle partnership with Sony. While much of this is speculation, as Valve has yet to officially announce a Steam Deck 2 being in the works, the rumored "Magnus" APU does give the company a reason to get its next-gen gaming handheld in the works. As per an interview with Valve's SteamOS designer, Pierre-Loup Griffais, the company isn't 'thinking about new hardware until next year at least.' That was back at CES 2025, and it's now looking like 2026 may be when we see this "new hardware." To further back this up, Griffais also stated to The Verge that "changing the performance level is not something we are taking lightly, and we only want to do so when there is a significant enough increase to be had," when talking about a possible Steam Deck successor. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. With this AMD "Magnus" APU with Zen 6 architecture now tipped to be involved with Valve's next-gen device, which is expected to offer a huge boost to performance in gaming, Valve may leverage some form of this processor to power its Steam Deck 2. Plus, seeing as it may be used in a PS6 or upcoming Xbox console, it should offer the "significant" performance leap Valve is after. There's no telling when a Steam Deck 2 will arrive, but with AMD's Zen 6 expected to arrive in 2026 or 2027, it looks to still be a good while until we see what Valve has up its sleeve. In the meantime, Microsoft's upcoming ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are set to launch this fall, and there's at least a Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS to check out. Moreover, the Valve Deckard VR headset is tipped to be arriving soon. With a first look at a leaked Lenovo Legion Go 2 prototype indicating a September launch, too, it's looking to be a big year for next-gen gaming handhelds. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
21-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Garmin fans, I have good news — we could be about to get 2 new smartwatches very soon
Garmin could be about to announce two brand new fitness-focused smartwatches, according to the latest murmurings across the internet. Specifically, an official tease from the company suggests a new Forerunner model while an unofficial leak could signal a new Venu. Let's start with the official news first. According to an official glimpse from Garmin shared on Chinese social media, we could be looking at a new Forerunner model. The outline of a very Forerunner-esque watch can be seen alongside a date: July 22. Which is tomorrow. According to fitness tipster the5krunner, this could mean one of a few things. Either it's a new China-only model (unlikely) or a region-specific version of a Forerunner that Garmin already makes. Or, failing that, it could of course be a brand new model that we'll get first eyes on this week. Alongside the image outline, the tease has a "1XXX" number alongside it. If that's the product number, it's a strange one — Garmin usually favors a three digit numbering schema. Alternatively, it's the price of the device in yuan. Which, even if it's 1999 yuan ($278 / £207), would make it an affordable Forerunner compared to the other models. Either way, we won't have long to wait to find out if there is a new model coming and whether or not it'll shape up alongside the best Garmin watches already out there. The latest Forerunner is our new top pick for the best Garmin watch. In our Garmin Forerunner 265 review, we called it "a huge improvement" over the previous model. This iteration of the watch brings a gorgeous AMOLED display with a higher resolution, plus Garmin's Training Readiness Score feature. You also get accurate GPS and lots of advanced training metrics at a glance. It's been a minute since Garmin released its last Venu watch, the Garmin Venu 3 back in 2023. So it makes sense the brand would be thinking about a follow-up and according to a report from Notebookcheck, we've just seen our first mention of it. A revised Japanese user manual for the Venu 3, published earlier this month, contains a reference to the Venu 4 when discussing the brand's paid Golf Membership service. The reference states: "In addition, Venu 4 device users can subscribe to Garmin Golf Membership to use course layouts (2nd generation) and PlaysLike distances on the device, and hazard/layup information can be overlaid on the map." Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Which, of course, tells us nothing about the specs or the timeline of the device, other than it likely will exist and probably be useful on the golf course. The Venu 3 was released in August on 2023, so if Garmin wants to keep to the same release cadence, then maybe we'll get more word about the Venu 4 in the coming weeks and possibly a reveal next month. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Android Authority
03-07-2025
- Android Authority
Walmart's Android 14 update for Onn devices returns after widespread bricking issues
Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority TL;DR Walmart paused the rollout of its Android 14 update for Onn streaming devices after widespread reports of bricked units. The company recently started rolling out a fresh build with update-related bug fixes to address the issue. The update is available for the Onn 4K Pro, Onn Stick, and newer Onn 4K models. Walmart recently released the long-awaited Android 14 update for its Onn 4K Pro streaming box. In a surprise move, the company also extended the update to older Onn streaming devices, including first-generation models from 2021 that originally shipped with Android TV 10. However, the update introduced a critical issue that left many users with bricked devices, prompting Walmart to pause the rollout. Fortunately for affected users, there's now some good news. As per recent reports on Reddit (via Notebookcheck), Walmart has started rolling out a fresh build with update-related bug fixes. This new update (build number URO1.250103.029.C1 for the Onn 4K Pro) is available for the newer models of the Onn 4K, Onn 4K Pro, and Onn Stick, even for users who installed the initial Android 14 release without encountering issues. Comments on the thread indicate that users are no longer experiencing the same issue after installing the new release. However, users with the 2021 version of the Onn 4K have yet to receive the bug fix update. Walmart has yet to make an official announcement or provide a timeline for when it might become available. Have you received the latest Android 14 update on your Onn streaming device? Have you encountered any issues after installing the new update? Let us know in the comments. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
The Nintendo Switch 2 may face steeper repair costs — Japanese listings show up to a 92% increase in prices for replacement parts
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Nintendo's long-anticipated and likely most leaked handheld, the Switch 2, is set to hit shelves today. If you plan to purchase one, handle it with care, as replacement parts are expected to become more expensive, via Notebookcheck. Nintendo Japan's pricing indicates a massive surge of up to 92% for replacement parts, affecting components like the mainboard, LCD, dock, Joy-Cons, and even the new Pro Controller. Since Nintendo has only disclosed these prices on their Japanese storefront, a direct comparison for U.S. customers is not possible. We have, however, drafted a table outlining the replacement parts for the Switch 2 alongside those for the Switch OLED, Switch V1 (HAC-001), and the Switch Lite from Nintendo Japan. With some expected variations, we may probably see a similar spike globally as well. (U.S. prices are conversions purely for reference) Replacing the main board, which houses the Tegra T239 SoC along with 12GB (2x6GB) of LPDDR5x-8533 RAM, and 256GB of TLC-based UFS 3.1 storage, will run you 27,500 Yen ($175), or about 67% more expensive than the original Switch V1 from 2017. Even with an IPS panel, the Switch 2's display costs 30% more to repair than the Switch OLED (or 60% more than the Switch V1), attributable to its 120 Hz, HDR10, and VRR capabilities. To Repair Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch OLED Nintendo Switch Lite Nintendo Switch V1 CPU Board 27,500 Yen ($175.76 USD) 16,500 Yen ($105.46 USD) 14,300 Yen ($91.49 USD) 14,300 Yen ($91.49 USD) LCD 15,400 Yen ($98.44 USD) 12,100 Yen ($77.38 USD) 9,900 Yen ($63.31 USD) 9,900 Yen ($63.31 USD) Other Parts 9,900 Yen / 7,150 Yen ($63.31 USD / $45.71 USD) 6,050 Yen ($38.70 USD) 6,050 Yen ($38.70 USD) 6,050 Yen ($38.70 USD) Dock (Cover Damage) 880 Yen ($5.63 USD) 550 Yen ($3.52 USD) N/A 330 Yen ($2.11 USD) Dock (No Video Output) 6,930 Yen ($44.30 USD) 3,960 Yen ($25.33 USD) N/A 3,300 Yen ($21.10 USD) Joy-Cons 3,960 Yen ($25.33 USD) 2,860 Yen ($18.29 USD) N/A 2,860 Yen ($18.29 USD) Pro Controller 6,490 Yen ($41.50 USD) 4,290 Yen ($27.44 USD) 4,290 Yen ($27.44 USD) 4,290 Yen ($27.44 USD) Replacement for parts excluding the CPU board and LCD were consolidated into a single package previously, but now Nintendo will charge different prices depending on the affected components. A faulty game card slot, Type-C port failure, or a battery replacement will cost Japanese consumers around 9,900 Yen ($63), or 65% more. Meanwhile, audio-related issues or a broken SD card reader are priced at 7,150 Yen ($45), or 18% more expensive than previous models. Similarly, resolving video-output issues with the new dock will cost $44, a 76% increase compared to the Switch OLED dock's $25 repair fee. Despite not featuring hall-effect joysticks, the new Joy-Cons will cost $25 to repair, making them 40% pricier than their Switch OLED/V1 counterparts. Lastly, the Switch 2 Pro Controller will set you back $41.50 in repair costs, making it 50% more expensive than its predecessor. Most of these changes can be attributed to increased manufacturing costs and new features, but the clear takeaway is the importance of carefully handling your console. Given the Switch 2's MSRP increase from $299 to $449, higher repair costs were almost a guarantee. Aside from authorized repair, iFixit has lowered the original Switch's repairability score from 8/10 to 4/10, citing issues with parts availability, repair manuals, and design challenges. It remains to be seen if the Switch 2 will improve upon this or achieve an even worse rating. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nvidia's 120W APU leak could mark the beginning of the end for laptop GPUs
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A new, credible leak suggests Nvidia is cooking up something that could transform gaming laptops as we know them: A 120W Arm-based APU that combines CPU, GPU, and NPU into a single chip. If early reports are accurate, this could deliver RTX 4070–level performance in a slimmer, cooler, and more efficient package and see Nvidia take pole position in laptop chip primacy. Let's be clear—this wouldn't just be another performance play that we frequently see with new hardware iterations, but a potential design revolution that could change everything. Or nothing. The leak, first reported by YouTube channel Moore's Law Is Dead and later verified by Notebookcheck, shows an engineering sample of the chip surrounded by eight LPDDR5X memory modules. The chip integrates a custom Arm CPU and a next-gen Nvidia GPU on the same die, likely codenamed Blackwell. There's also a powerful NPU onboard, positioned to handle heavy AI workloads. What's particularly impressive is that this unified chip reportedly runs at a 120W TDP and still manages to compete with the RTX 4070 Laptop GPU in benchmarks. Sources claim Nvidia is internally comparing its new APU to a 65W-tuned 4070, suggesting near parity in gaming performance with far better power efficiency. According to Moore's Law Is Dead, the chip is scheduled to hit the market between Q4 2025 and early 2026, and Nvidia is reportedly working with Dell to bring this architecture to life in future Alienware laptops. If Nvidia's APU lives up to its potential, the entire idea of separating CPU and GPU in a gaming laptop could become obsolete. Combining the two allows for tighter integration, lower latency, and shared access to high-bandwidth memory. Thermal design also benefits since there's only one hot zone to manage instead of two. This could mean fewer fans, thinner chassis, and better battery life, all without sacrificing AAA gaming performance. Those in the know will recognize this as a similar design philosophy to Apple's M-series chips, but unlike Snapdragon or Apple silicon, this chip might bring actual desktop-class frame rates to the table. Nvidia's closest competitor here is AMD, which is preparing its own monster chip: The Strix Halo APU. AMD's APU is expected to pair up to 16 Zen 5 cores with 40 RDNA 3.5 GPU compute units, pushing as much as 120W as well. In theory, it should be a beast. But Nvidia may have a leg up with its more efficient GPU architecture and early adoption of on-package memory. Notebookcheck notes that Nvidia's sample includes LPDDR5X soldered around the die, enabling high memory bandwidth without a separate graphics memory pool. That unified design is a big win for energy efficiency, which matters more than ever as gaming laptops strive to balance power and portability. A 120W chip still requires serious cooling, so we're not talking about fanless devices. But without the need for a separate GPU and VRAM modules, OEMs have a chance to rethink their internals. One configuration might resemble a MacBook Pro in weight but pack gaming performance that rivals today's bulkier rigs. Keep in mind that we're just speculating and thinking about what could eventually be. It would be surprising to see a dedicated Nvidia gaming laptop SoC right out of the gate, but the rumored APU could well be a starting point. That said, anything can happen, and the quoted sources do directly reference the APU as being earmarked for gaming laptops. The most likely initial application for the APU is AI. With the likes of upscaling, frame generation, real-time voice effects, and creative tools becoming more common, a strong on-chip AI engine could be the killer feature that separates Nvidia's solution from AMD and any future moves by Intel (though Intel is conspicuously absent from the APU race at the moment, with nothing in its roadmap suggesting a full-on AI or gaming APU.) With sources claiming that the chip includes an NPU powerful enough to run modern generative models and assist with GPU-accelerated workloads without the cloud, it's hard to think of any applications where it wouldn't shine, gaming or otherwise. For Dell and other partners, this is essentially an invitation to innovate, perhaps eventually leading to the first wave of 'all-Nvidia' laptops, with unified software and hardware tuned for peak efficiency. AMD Strix Halo APU could make low-end discrete GPUs obsolete — Nvidia's RTX 4060 is on notice Nvidia's affordable RTX 5060 is coming soon, but that's not the GPU I have my eyes on Dell's new laptop ditches the GPU for a discrete NPU — here's why that's a big deal
