About Rich Woods
Hello! I'm the Editor-in-Chief of XDA, and I've been reporting on all things consumer tech since 2013. More recently, I've had more of a focus on Windows, and I've reviewed pretty much every mainstream laptop under the sun. If you see me somewhere, come say hello and let me ask you awkward questions about why you use the tech that you use.
What was your first computer?
I'm not sure of the brand, but back in 1987, my family had a PC with an Intel 8088 processor, 512KB RAM, and 20MB storage. It's fun to think about how I now have photos that wouldn't have fit on that entire hard drive. It ran DOS, and I used it to play games like The Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.
How long have you been interested in technology?
A few years after I got that first PC, I liberated my father's book on GW-BASIC. That was my start with wanting to learn more about how computers worked. By the time I was in high school, I was writing Visual Basic programs to figure out the passwords on school computers. Weirdly, I never actually got into trouble for that.
What tech products or categories are you most passionate about?
Windows! It's the software that I've been using since I was a child and I've always admired the broad range of hardware that uses it. This interest is what led to that passion to understand why people choose the tech that they do, and to help people to make those decisions by reviewing the products that they might end up buying.
Latest Articles
New Windows 10 preview has better HDR support for color-managed apps
Microsoft released this week's Windows 10 Insider Preview build, and it contains better HDR support for some creator applications.
It's Friday, but Microsoft still managed to squeeze out a Windows 10 Insider Preview build in the Dev channel. This week's build is number 21382, and frankly, there's not a whole lot that's new.
Dolby Vision is coming to Xbox Insiders with an Xbox Series X|S today
Microsoft announced that starting today, Xbox Insiders on the Alpha ring can start testing out gaming in Dolby Vision HDR on Xbox Series X|S.
If you're an Xbox Insider on the Preview Alpha ring, your console is about to get Dolby Vision support. Unsurprisingly the feature is limited to the new Xbox Series X|S, as it was actually announced at launch. Indeed, Dolby has been clear that the current-gen consoles are the first to have both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, while Atmos was available at launch.
It's your last chance to get free Galaxy Buds Pro with a Galaxy Book purchase
Samsung's new Galaxy Book Pro laptops are hours away from launching, and until then, they come with free Galaxy Buds Pro.
Last month, Samsung announced a bunch of new laptops, such as the Galaxy Book Pro, the Galaxy Book Pro 360, and the Galaxy Book Flex2 ⍺. As always, there are a bunch of deals if you pre-order. If you order through Samsung.com, you get either a $150 eCertificate or free Galaxy Buds Pro.
Lenovo has a new portable USB-C battery that can charge your laptop
Lenovo has announced new accessories from its new Lenovo Go brand, such as a portable USB-C battery that can charge your laptop.
Today, Lenovo is announcing a new brand called Lenovo Go, and it's all about accessories. The firm said that the mission behind the new brand is to bridge the gap between working in the office and working from home. While the company is obviously planning to expand the brand into a wide array of devices, the first two are a portable USB-C battery called the Lenovo Go USB-C Laptop Power Bank, and the Lenovo Go Wireless Multi-Device Mouse.
Windows Holographic version 21H1 now available for HoloLens 2
Microsoft has released Windows Holographic version 21H1 for HoloLens 2 headsets, adding a new Settings app, Edge Chromium, and more.
Windows 10 version 21H1 is coming soon. But that also means that other versions of Windows 10 have to get the update as well. And while the client update isn't here yet, others are, such as the Xbox One May update. Another update that arrived today is Windows Holographic version 21H1, which is available for HoloLens.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 builds 19042.985, 18363.1556 - here's what's new
Microsoft released this month's Patch Tuesday updates today, releasing new cumulative updates for all supported versions of Windows 10.
It's the second Tuesday of the month, and that makes it Patch Tuesday. Every supported version of Windows 10 is getting new cumulative updates today. That includes versions 1507, 1607, 1803, 1809, 1909, 2004, and 20H2. However, after today, Windows 10 versions 1803 and 1809 will drop off of the list.
Windows 10 version 1909 and two others are no longer supported after today
Several versions and SKUs of Windows 10, such as version 1909 for consumers, are no longer supported. You should upgrade your PC.
It's once again time to go down the list of versions of Windows 10 that aren't going to be supported anymore. There are actually a few for the month of May, but the most notable one is Windows 10 version 1909.
MSI's new gaming laptops have 11th-gen Intel CPUs, up to NVIDIA RTX 3080, and more
MSI has announced new gaming laptops with the latest specs, including Intel 11th-gen processors, NVIDIA RTX 30 series graphics, and more.
Today, MSI is announcing its latest round of gaming and creator laptops. Obviously, it aligns with the launch of Intel's 11th-generation 45W CPUs, codenamed Tiger Lake-H.
Acer refreshes mid-tier gaming laptops with new CPUs and GPUs
Acer announced new entry-level and mid-tier laptops from its Nitro and Predator lineups with new Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs.
Today, Acer announced new gaming laptops from its entry-level and mid-tier. Specifically, it includes new models of its Predator Triton 300, Predator Helios 300, and Nitro 5 laptops. Like you've probably seen from about seven other OEMs this morning, they include the newly-launched Intel 11th-gen 45W CPUs. They're the first 45W 10nm chips from the company, also packing PCIe 4 support, Thunderbolt 4, and more.
Lenovo unveils new Legion gaming laptops with 11th-gen CPUs
Lenovo has announced new Legion gaming laptops with Intel's 11th-generation CPUs, including the Legion 7i, Legion 5i Pro, and Legion 5i.
Thanks to Intel's announcement of its Tiger Lake-H processors today, it's time for the OEM announcements to roll in. Lenovo is announcing new Legion laptops, including a new Legion 7i, Legion 5i Pro, and Legion 5i. There's also a new Legion Y25g-30 gaming monitor.
Intel announces its 11th-gen 'Tiger Lake-H' processors for gaming laptops
Intel is announcing its Tiger Lake-H processors, which are the 11th-generation chips that we're going to find in gaming laptops.
Today, Intel is announcing its H-series processors from the Tiger Lake family. This is the latest piece of the 11th-gen puzzle, as the firm has already been offering a 35W, quad-core flavor for ultraportable gaming PCs. That was called Tiger Lake-H35, but this is full-blown Tiger Lake-H, which will power some of the best gaming laptops.
The new Dell XPS 15 and XPS 17 come with 11th-gen processors and RTX 30 graphics
Dell introduced its new XPS 15 and XPS 17 laptops, which now come with Intel's 11th-gen processors, RTX 30-series graphics, and more.
It's new Intel processor day, as the firm introduced its Tiger Lake-H processors for gaming laptops, creator laptops, and mobile workstations. That means that a whole bunch of OEMs are lining up to announce their wares as well. That includes Dell, and while it has plenty to show off, the top of the lineup is a new XPS 15 and XPS 17, two of the best laptops from last year.
NVIDIA announces GeForce RTX 3050 and 3050 Ti GPUs for laptops
NVIDIA has announced its latest entry-level gaming and creator GPUs for laptops, the GeForce RTX 3050 and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti.
Today, NVIDIA is announcing new entry-level GeForce RTX graphics cards for laptops, specifically the GeForce RTX 3050 and 3050 Ti. The news comes alongside new 11th-generation processors from Intel, and we're also seeing partner announcements from companies like Dell, Lenovo, MSI, and Acer.
The new Razer Blade 15 Advanced is the thinnest RTX gaming laptop
Razer has unveiled its new Razer Blade 15 Advanced, launching the world's thinnest RTX gaming laptop with minimal compromises.
Razer is announcing a new Blade 15 Advanced today. It's part of an array of announcements that aligns with Intel's 11th-gen H-series launch.
The One XPlayer is an 8.4-inch Windows 10 PC that promises to be a handheld gaming console
One-Netbook announced the One XPlayer, which is an 8.4-inch Windows 10 PC with a Nintendo Switch design and runs Windows 10.
If you're looking for something that's like a Switch but a full-blown Windows 10 PC, it would seem that a company called One-Netbook has you covered with the One XPlayer. It's an 8.4-inch device, but it can do more than play Nintendo Switch games. It's meant to play AAA PC games while you're on the go.
Can the 24-inch iMac with Apple M1 run Windows 10?
If you're upgrading your iMac to the new 24-inch model with Apple M1, you might be thinking if you can still run Windows 10 on it.
Apple's new 24-inch iMac is its first desktop PC to include Apple Silicon. If you're thinking of jumping in and you've not played around with an Apple M1 PC before, there are some things that you need to know, such as if you can use external monitors with it. Also, depending on how you're using your current machine, you might be wondering if you can run Windows 10 on your new M1 iMac.
Surface Laptop 4 vs Surface Book 3: Showdown of the Microsoft notebooks!
Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 and Surface Book 3 are both laptops with similar screens, but they have different features for different needs.
Microsoft makes two different laptops -- the Surface Laptop 4 and the Surface Book 3. Moreover, they both come in 13.5- and 15-inch sizes with 3:2 screens. They're both premium PCs, and it's hard to say one is better than the other. As usual, Microsoft makes different PCs for different use cases, and we're here to compare and get to a conclusion on which device suits which needs better!
Apple's MacBook Air might come in pretty colors like the new iMac
According to the person that leaked colors on the new iMac, Apple's next MacBook Air might also be available in an array of colors.
Last month, Apple introduced a new 24-inch iMac that comes in pretty colors, a throwback to the famous iMac G3 from 1998. Now, Jon Prosser, who first leaked the fact that the iMac would come in colors, is saying the same about the MacBook Air.
Microsoft has reportedly put Windows 10X on the back burner
According to a new report, Microsoft has abandoned its plans to continue developing Windows 10X as a Chrome OS competitor.
Windows 10X has had a troubled history this far, and according to a report from Brad Sams of Petri, it's just getting worse. Microsoft has reportedly shelved its plans for the newer, more modern version of Windows.
Microsoft has a new Windows 10 build with a refreshed Segoe UI font
Microsoft released a new Windows 10 Insider Preview to the Dev channel, mainly refreshing the Segoe UI font so it's more scalable.
Today, Microsoft released Windows 10 Insider Preview build 21376 to the Dev channel. For this week's build, there's not a whole lot that's new.