According to the latest update, data feels sure. What could be better than measurable progress, a way of quantifying the global stage to stop arguments before they start? I like numbers.
Industry observers note that (Half the time, it’s because of the benchmarks.) Neither the humans referring to the results nor the firms producing the devices in question have much interest in tidy interpretations. And now we have Nvidia’s RTX Spark in the mix. But as we all know, people find plenty of reason still to fight about performance, even in spite of PC benchmarks.
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According to the latest update, this YouTube comment from user @vr0k3n sums up the vibe pretty well: “Referring to anything consumer related when presenting these clearly AI B2B products is complete deception….the only reason they did that was to frame [these] as a consumer product so people would still be interested in it when it debuts.”. I’ve heard more than one person express frustration about Nvidia, Microsoft, and other firms pushing AI-focused devices on consumers during Computex.
As part of the ongoing story, at Microsoft Build, which ran concurrently with Computex this year, one Surface Laptop Ultra demo showed off a split workload—the generation of a 3D art asset through use of local AI and cloud AI tools, each handling different tasks. When I asked about this hybrid work style in an interview shortly thereafter with Andrew Hill, corporate vice president of Surface, he became notably animated and spoke more at length, telling me that such an approach is “exactly what we’re trying to give people options for.” I genuinely believe that Nvidia and Microsoft see a future where “people evolve how they think about what work happens where,” as Hill put it. But I’m not so certain this take is quite on the mark.
As part of the ongoing story, (For example, I system update off my local devices, but I write using an online document editor.) It’s in part the reason why Chromebooks and aged devices have become not just viable, but common solutions for everyday computing. So if that’s the case, what’s the performance we should be measuring? Consumers have already begun stepping in this direction, splitting workloads between their local system and the cloud.
According to the latest update, aI workloads, tech industry, common productivity tasks, content creation—the whole nine yards and then some. But for me, the point will be less Nvidia’s chip and its specific audience. Instead I’ll be looking at it and wondering what precedent it will set for benchmarking such devices, meant for tasks split between online and offline tools. When Nvidia’s RTX Spark CPU debuts, people will put it through its paces in all manners of ways.
As part of the ongoing story, the firms will push such chips on us. What we can do is thoughtfully respond with how we evaluate them, especially if more and more of consumer computing shifts to the cloud—because fresh chip production also ends up centering AI more and more. We can’t stop the vision the RTX Spark represents.
In a fresh development, we may need to adjust the way we form opinions based on the numbers, and what we focus on. Ultimately, testing can answer a million granular queries, yet also to fail the broadest, most important anyone can ask about performance: Is this right for me? We may have to let go of certain benchmarks we’re accustomed to, or demand fresh ones.
Industry observers note that i don’t think so, personally. For enthusiasts, we’re bottomless pits when it comes to seeing tech evolve. But we may be in danger of losing attention if we assume that we’ve gotten everything we can get—or react as we always have, using the same approach we have. Adam asked more than once recently if we’ve reached a point where PC computing has become good enough for most people, where a need for more performance doesn’t truly exist.
The report highlights that but I’m reminded of my dad, ever the practical person. (If I have any claim to sense, it’s the little that rubbed off on me from him.) He’s the one who always asks, “What are you going to do with that?” So as much as I find joy in poring over charts and how else a piece of devices will respond, I know it’s most important to answer that with my efforts. As I said, I love numbers.
In a fresh development, i hope everyone else will find their way there, too.
Industry observers note that not on the list of predicted trends: This Montech case, which caught Adam’s attention for reasons that surprised neither me or Brad. I fully expect to be subjected to an in-person sniff test at some point. In this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Brad Chacos, and Alaina Yee chat about their final thoughts on Computex—and their guesses at what will come next.
As part of the ongoing story, lindsay sent me photos. THEY ARE SO SMOL. Adam also casually revealed that he and his wife are fostering kittens right now.
Industry observers note that i was going to put a show thumbnail as usual here, but the kitties are way cute.
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In a fresh development, and if you need more devices talk during the rest of the week, come join our Discord user base—it’s full of cool, laid-back nerds.
As part of the ongoing story, that means more random science news for you. And terrifying anecdotes from Reddit, like a PC supposedly frying through a lightning strike. It’s just me this time around—Alex caught a cold.
Industry observers note that the Steam Machine is actually on its way soon(ish). And animal retirement communities are apparently a thing. (I wish there were a dedicated daily live stream.). But it’s not all gloom: Adam had an interesting chat with AMD during Computex.
According to the latest update, (Hopefully this hand-off is not a complete surprise, given all the hints in recent weeks.). And with that, The Full Nerd newsletter now belongs to Alex.
As part of the ongoing story, you can also still catch me on PCWorld.com and through Safe Mode, a newsletter I’m launching next week on security and privacy. I may even pop back up here from time to time. Don’t worry—I’m still on The Full Nerd show.
According to the latest update, thanks for being here through all the twists and turns so far. It’s going to stay wild for a while longer. It’s been fun sharing my thoughts on PC enthusiast topics over the past year with you all.
According to the latest update, – I said I wouldn’t field requests for an audio podcast based on this newsletter that’s based on a podcast. Alex, however, has not said such a thing. Yet.). (P.S.
As part of the ongoing story, this newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of devices at PCWorld.
According to the latest update, since joining the team in 2016, she’s written about CPUs, Windows, PC building, Chrome, Raspberry Pi, and much more—while also serving as PCWorld’s resident bargain hunter (#slickdeals). Currently her focus is on security, helping people understand how best to protect themselves online. Her work has previously appeared in PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine. A 15-year veteran of technology and video platform releases journalism, Alaina Yee covers a variety of topics for PCWorld.