A new ZDNet analysis highlights six Linux distributions poised for a breakout year in 2026. The list includes both new atomic systems and familiar faces, all aiming to capture users migrating from Windows 10.
AMD has unveiled the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, its new top gaming CPU. It bumps the boost clock to 5.6 GHz but keeps the same core and cache design as its predecessor. The performance gain over the last model looks to be pretty small.
Dell has revealed two new high-performance Alienware laptops at CES 2026. The Alienware 16X Aurora and Area-51 models feature new OLED displays and top-tier specs, including up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090. They are scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026.
Asus is bringing back its dual-screen gaming laptop with a complete redesign. The 2026 ROG Zephyrus Duo swaps its old “ScreenPad Plus” for a second full-sized 16-inch 3K OLED display, but it’s also heavier than ever.
Acer has announced a major refresh of its gaming laptop lineup, headlined by the Predator Helios Neo 16S AI. The new models are among the first to feature Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake processors, paired with NVIDIA’s new mobile GeForce RTX 50 series graphics.
Nvidia has unveiled its next-generation Vera Rubin AI computing platform, arriving ahead of schedule. The Rubin GPU claims to deliver five times the AI training compute of the current Blackwell architecture while drastically reducing the cost and hardware needed for massive AI models.
MSI is launching new AMD AM5 motherboards, headlined by the enthusiast-focused MEG X870E Unify-X MAX. This board is built for record-breaking DDR5 speeds over 10,000 MT/s. They’re also introducing a more affordable B850 MAG MAX series with modern features.
At CES, MSI is shifting focus from gaming to professional productivity with its new Pro Max series. The lineup includes all-in-one PCs, minimalist desktops with AMD Ryzen AI 300 chips, a fancy QD-OLED monitor for Mac users, and a suite of high-end components like an X870E motherboard. It’s a clear b
HP is betting big on Qualcomm’s next-gen chips and OLED displays for its 2026 laptop refresh. The premium OmniBook Ultra 14, launching this month for $1,550, leads the charge with a claimed 45-hour battery life on some models. It’s a direct shot at Apple’s MacBook dominance.
Qualcomm is rounding out its 2025 Snapdragon X lineup with a new mid-range chip for 2026. The Snapdragon X2 Plus promises major GPU and CPU improvements to compete directly with Intel and AMD in laptops.
