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Microsoft declares 2025 the "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh."As likely as "year of the Linux desktop"The theory: Windows 10 EOL, AI PCs, lingering security fears from CrowdStrikeThe issue: Windows 10 has 63 usage share right now. At this point in time, Windows 7 had only 25 percent usage share (and was in second place, not first)Intel joins in on this fever dream but we've stopped listeningMore interesting: AMD is kicking ass and taking names. And we thought the existing chips were good (they are). Related to this, PC makers are embracing AMD like never before. Check out HP's workstations (including laptops)Microsoft is blocking the 24H2 update on PCs with Auto HDR enabledNew Canary and Beta builds ring in the New YearNot that it matters, but Windows 11 almost had Vista Ultimate Extras-like dynamic wallpapersDell kills XPS and all its other PC brands because Dell is stupid and doesn't know what it hadQualcomm defeated Arm Holdings in licensing dispute court case. And, yes, it won big time, contrary to Arm's nonsenseQualcomm announces an even lower-end Snapdragon X chip for $600 PCs, so ASUS announces an $1100 laptop that uses itSnapdragon Dev Kit updatePart 2 of Paul's history of Windows on Arm is upNew Arm PCs announced, including desktops. Ahead of CES, Geekom jumped the gun and said it was coming out with a Snapdragon X-based NUC. Lenovo has a NUC/SFFNVIDIA and MediaTek confirm partnership on Arm chips for PCsFirst, GitHub Copilot, but now Microsoft 365 Copilot will allegedly stop using OpenAI exclusivelyMicrosoft reveals (confirms) it will spend $80 billion on AI infrastructure in FY 2025 as it suckles up to Trump like the rest of the tech industryMicrosoft and OpenAI allegedly tied AGI milestone to profits, not intelligenceMicrosoft discusses a console-like experience for Windows handheld gaming. Tied to that, a new generation of handheld gaming PCs is on the wayXbox Game Pass says Happy New Year with a full slate of Activision Blizzard titles. Just kiddingNVIDIA announces new graphics cards for PCsNo one wants this, but Xbox is coming to LG smart TVsXbox Rewards shuffles the deck chairs, hopes no one notices it's worse nowTip of the week: Spend a little, upgrade to Windows 11App pick of the week: Microsoft PowerToysRunAs Radio this week: Least Privilege in 2025 with Bailey BercikBrown liquor pick of the week: Kilbeggan Irish WhiskeyHosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell
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