The PC let its freak flag fly at CES regardless of the RAM crunch

Wow. After the miserable final couple of months in {hardware}, CES 2026 was precisely the breath of recent air and optimism I wanted.

To be clear, shopper desktop CPU and GPU information was largely a bust—for brand new structure bulletins, anyway. Intel targeted on cell processors, speaking up Panther Lake throughout its press convention and taking potshots at AMD’s handheld chips. AMD barely talked about shopper throughout its two-hour+ keynote presentation, as a substitute leaning arduous into enterprise. (At a “shopper” present, sure.) Workforce Pink did announce Ryzen AI 400 processors on stage, in addition to exhibit an ultra-compact Ryzen AI Halo mini-PC, however the reveal of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D trickled out on the facet. As for Nvidia, it straight up instructed everybody that it will not announce new GPUs throughout its group replace stream.

However AMD additionally hinted that we might probably drop a cell Ryzen CPU right into a desktop PC someday sooner or later. (Wut.) Intel says the built-in graphics in its Panther Lake chips can go toe-to-toe with discrete RTX 4000-series GPUs—and preliminary benchmarks seem to again up the declare. And Nvidia dropped each upscaling upgrades and new monitor tech that made Brad a believer in DLSS 4.5 and G-Sync Pulsar immediately.

And outdoors of that, CES 2026 was nonetheless a lot stuffed with the bizarre, surprising tech it’s identified for. HP’s easy but charming EliteBoard PC stuffs an entire system right into a keyboard. Cooling firm Ventiva demoed a fanless (!) handheld for completely silent cell gaming. Dell’s 52-inch ultrawide monitor laughs within the face of desk house limits. Asus took “Por que no los dos” actually and packed its new Zephyrus Duo with two full OLED touchscreens. Not unhinged sufficient? The present ground was full of all sort of bonkers gear in the easiest method. (I’m pining arduous for that Jackery Photo voltaic Mars Bot. I don’t even spend a lot time in daylight.)

So certain, Intel, AMD, and Nvidia all signaled that their focus could be on cell, AI, software program, AI…and AI. (By the best way, after we took a rely at every press convention, AMD dominated with 207 mentions in two hours. 2 hundred and 7.) Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang even instructed our personal Adam Patrick Murray throughout a Q&A session that “The long run is neural rendering. That’s the best way graphics must be.”

And the RAM shortages nonetheless hold within the background of all of the enjoyable information, silent however heavy. Few costs had been introduced in the course of the present. Analysts confirmed coming worth will increase of 15 to twenty p.c on PCs. Each AMD and Nvidia hinted on the return of older chip applied sciences.

However we as fans nonetheless have loads of neat issues to look ahead to. Heaps to make our lives less complicated, heaps that adapt higher to the constraints (and pressures) of contemporary residing. Additionally, a stunning variety of $5,000+ robots that I’d take into account inviting into my residence. I didn’t have that on my 2026 bingo card.

On this episode of The Full Nerd 

On this episode of The Full Nerd, Brad Chacos, Adam Patrick Murray, Mark Hachman, and Michael Crider recap their CES 2026 experiences—one of the best, the worst, and probably the most insane issues they noticed whereas traipsing by Las Vegas.

(My nomination, sitting at residence? Brad’s drink in the course of the present, which was three ft lengthy. I requested him what number of ounces it was. He responded in distance. It’s a lot liquid that it transcends the standard measuring system.)

Willis Lai / Foundry

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This week’s flood of nerd information

So within the final publication, after I predicted there could be a whole lot of information for this one, I had ballparked greater than regular. Boy, did I find yourself understating that.

A lot of the large tech information is packed within the link-filled ideas above, after all. However there was loads of smaller, fascinating tidbits too—some enjoyable, some sobering. And a few downright harmful, relying in your viewpoint.

Noctua

• Low cost, however good: Tom’s {Hardware} did a little bit of hands-on testing to evaluating the Noctua’s legendary followers and Arctic’s equally legendary different. (I personal a number of packs of Arctic’s P-series followers, as a result of, yeah. That worth.) Seems, us frugal sorts aren’t lacking out on an excessive amount of.

• I’m glad for this information: Magnetic switches are all the craze, and Cherry remains to be preventing the great struggle for its survival with not one, however two new magnetic TMR keyboards.

• Comfortable birthday, Blu-ray: First, I can’t consider it’s been 20 years since Blu-ray first appeared. Second, how on earth has it been 20 years?

• So cute: The deep nerdery of making artwork throughout the intersection of time and house is weirdly profound, with cute outcomes. (The hassle creates pictures of cats. Meow.)

• Laptop Chronicles rocked: Producer and host Stewart Cheifet handed away at age 87 this previous December. Along with being a part of PBS’s stellar academic programming, there’s additionally a PCWorld connection. Each Gordon and Will had been on an episode again within the day!

• I’m glad I’m not alone: Recreation writer Hooded Horse’s head honcho says that any titles it releases can’t have AI property, as a result of because the CEO says: “I [censored] hate gen AI artwork.” I really feel much less alone in a universe presently stuffed with countless AI slop.

• Who’s a very good pup? I’m extra of a cat individual, however I nonetheless suppose canine are nice. Much more so after studying this Ars Technica article. And among the hilarious feedback from Ars readers—significantly this one a few canine who is aware of the names of about 100 toys: “Okay, there’s being a very good boy, an excellent boy, after which simply being a exhibit.”

InWin

• Thanks, Mr. Rosen: I used to be at all times extra of a Nintendo child, however Sega was a giant a part of my childhood nonetheless.

• Right here we go once more! Pebble lives as soon as extra, and now it’s revived its spherical smartwatch. I personal an authentic Spherical, and boy, this Spherical 2 is tempting…despite the fact that it lacks some essential options I’ve come to anticipate from my smartwatches. (Actually, no coronary heart price monitoring?!) Man, I’m so on the fence.

• Some welcome information: Colour me stunned, particularly after so many distributors mainly kill getting old {hardware} by refusing to assist it. Good on Bose for permitting individuals to take additional updates into their very own fingers.

• Bizarre, however cool: Keychron is well-known for its mechanical keyboards, however this CES 2026, they determined to carry one thing somewhat totally different with them to the present… (Sure, I’ve notified Adam of this.)

• Y’all, I’m in hassle: Brad wore a cool circuit-patterned shirt throughout CES. I requested him the place he acquired it. He gave me the hyperlink. The positioning may very well be ThinkGeek reborn. I’ve already instantly fallen in love with probably the most improbable and completely ugliest Excel cardigan. (Assist.)

Gosh, what a banger of a begin to the brand new yr. I believed I’d spend most of this week sneaking in complaints about crowded gyms. Sure, it’s completely different individuals’s fault I ate an excessive amount of and drank a ton of Will’s wonderful eggnog. (Thanks once more for sharing that with us!)

Catch you all subsequent week!

Alaina

This article is devoted to the reminiscence of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and govt editor of {hardware} at PCWorld.