ASUS today announced ExpertBook BM1, a durable, reliable and versatile laptop designed to meet the demands of the dynamic world of modern business and work. ExpertBook BM1 boasts a robust feature set, including an AMD Ryzen 7 processor with AMD Radeon graphics, up to 64 GB of memory and generous storage options - all encased in a lightweight 1.4 kg design. Its vibrant display with a tall 16:9 aspect ratio enhances the visual experience. Designed for seamless connectivity, it supports up to Wi-Fi 6E and offers a comprehensive range of I/O ports. Additionally, ExpertBook BM1 is built to military-grade durability standards and incorporates an eco-conscious design, reflecting the ASUS commitment to sustainability and accountability.

ExpertBook BM1 is designed to elevate business performance, offering the speed and responsiveness required to meet today's challenges, enabling effortless multitasking, advanced data management, and optimized workflows. Equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 processor with AMD Radeon graphics, it provides the powerful performance necessary to accomplish any task. With up to 64 GB of memory and generous storage capacity, this business laptop is prepared for even the most demanding workloads, ensuring quick access to critical information. ExpertBook BM1 also prioritizes connectivity with support for Wi-Fi 6E and a wide range of I/O ports. Additionally, its military-grade durability ensures it can handle various tasks seamlessly, making ExpertBook BM1 an ideal choice for modern professionals.

AMD today released early driver support for the Radeon 800M series integrated graphics of Ryzen AI 300 series mobile processors to use AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2), and Variable Graphics Memory (VGM) technologies. The two technologies receive optimization for the RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture driving the iGPU of the "Strix Point" silicon on which the Ryzen AI 300 series processors are based on. AFMF 2 is the second generation of AMD Fluid Motion Frames, a technology that lets you nearly double frame-rates on any Direct3D 11 or later game, without the gaming having explicit support for a frame generation technology, such as FSR 3 Frame Generation. AFMF operates out of the game's graphics pipeline, which adds a tiny bit of system latency. AFMF 2 seeks to reduce this latency.

Variable Graphics Memory (VGM) is another interesting feature that builds on top of the UMA (unified memory architecture) implementation of AMD processors with iGPUs. Depending on a 3D application's demands, the technology dynamically allocates up to 75% of the system memory as video memory for the iGPU, while ensuring the game doesn't run into unintentional performance bottlenecks arising from paging main memory if too much of it is used up by the iGPU. For VGM to work, a system needs at least 16 GB of main memory. VGM is not meant to be confused with the shared memory area that the processor allots to the iGPU by default (which ranges between 512 MB and 2 GB), it's designed to augment to this by eating into the system memory.

Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, today announced significant updates to its S14I semi-rugged laptop, expanding its product line supporting modern-day data-intensive tasks. With the performance of Intel Core Ultra processor, this AI-powered 14" semi-rugged laptop exceeds expectations by delivering a powerful, premium performance and exceptional user experience.

Durabook also produces the Z14I fully rugged laptop, the world's most durable and reliable fully rugged PC designed specifically to support demanding AI applications in the field. Twinhead's CEO, Fred Kao, said: "AI technology has emerged as an important tool to handle and maximise data and create new, more capable and powerful systems. Durabook aims to equip our mobile computing devices with optimum capability for professional users in the field. Our customers can exploit these advancements to their advantage and greatest benefit with laptop solutions delivering up to 100 TOPS with AI accelerator."

ASUS today announced ExpertBook B1, a durable, reliable and versatile laptop that's ready for the rigors of the modern business world. ExpertBook B1's lineup of powerful features includes up to an Intel Core 7 processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, up to 64 GB of memory and ample storage, plus a vibrant screen with a tall 16:9 aspect ratio - all encased in a sleek 1.4 kg chassis. ExpertBook B1 is designed for seamless connectivity, featuring up to WiFi 6E and a comprehensive array of I/O ports. In addition, it offers military-grade durability and incorporates an eco-friendly design that reflects a commitment to sustainability and accountability.

Robust performance
ExpertBook B1 is engineered to enhance business capabilities, providing the fast and responsive performance essential for today's demands—enabling seamless multitasking, advanced data handling, and streamlined operations. Powered by up to an Intel Core 7 processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, ExpertBook B1 delivers the robust performance needed to get the job done.

ASUS today announced that it showcased its latest technological innovations at the Always Incredible Media Day for IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany. The company highlighted its commitment to its Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities vision by unveiling a new portfolio of next-generation ASUS Copilot+ PCs. Equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), they deliver style, robust features and functionality, robust connectivity and heighten levels of performance alongside AI capabilities. ASUS has harnessed the full potential of Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) in the latest ASUS NUC mini PC. This new model outperforms the competition with superior performance, while maintaining an impressively compact design and robust array of connections and expansion support. With an integrated NPU delivering up to 48 TOPS, it enabled on-device AI capabilities. The NUC 14 Pro Ai will receive a free update to Copilot+ PC experiences when available.

The company's collaboration with Intel has been key in bringing these cutting-edge devices to life. "The powerful Intel Core Ultra processors at the heart of our latest Zenbook, Vivobook, ExpertBook laptops, and NUC Mini PC deliver unmatched performance and enable a wide range of AI experiences," said Rangoon Chang, ASUS Corporate Vice President, Consumer Business Unit. "With these new devices, together we are empowering users to harness the full potential of AI to enjoy smarter, more intuitive computing."

MSI, a leading brand in gaming, content creation, and business & productivity laptops, proudly launched several next-gen AI+ gaming and business productivity laptops featuring the new Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) and AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series at IFA 2024. These laptops offer more AI computing power, making it the most robust platform for AI PC development, with more AI models, frameworks, and runtimes enable.

Additionally, MSI officially launched the new Claw 8 AI+ Windows 11 gaming handheld device, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and an 8-inch screen, providing a smoother and broader mobile gaming experience. MSI also announced the whole new Venture series laptops, redefining the combination of thin, light and powerful. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and varieties of different size, from 14, 15.6, 16, to 17 inches.

Acer today announced its entry into the handheld gaming space with the launch of the new Acer Nitro Blaze 7 (GN771). The device combines cutting-edge technology and a compact design to always bring next-level gaming and entertainment within reach. Acer's first-generation handheld AI gaming PC features an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, with Ryzen AI that optimizes performance and responsiveness across a wide range of games and applications.

The design allows users to easily slip the device into their bags or pockets for instant playing time on the go. It features a 7-inch Full HD (FHD) IPS display with a touch interface, plus AMD FreeSync Premium technology, and a blazing-fast 144 Hz refresh rate. This allows players to experience enhanced visuals and responsive controls while playing their favorite AAA titles. The system runs on Windows 11 and features the new Acer Game Space application which supports the addition of games from multiple platforms.

Samsung Electronics today announced the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, a Copilot+ PC and the first in the all-new Galaxy Book5 series. Performance upgrades made possible by the Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) bring next-level computing power, with up to 47 total TOPs NPU - and more than 300 AI-accelerated features across 100+ creativity, productivity, gaming and entertainment apps. Microsoft Phone Link provides access to your Galaxy phone screen on a larger, more immersive PC display, enabling use of fan-favorite Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search with Google, Chat Assist, Live Translate and more. And with the Intel ARC GPU, graphics performance is improved by 17%. When paired with stunning features like the Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Vision Booster and 10-point multi-touchscreen, Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 allows creation anytime, anywhere.

"The Galaxy Book5 series brings even more cutting-edge AI experiences to Galaxy users around the world who want to enhance and simplify their everyday tasks - a vision made possible by our continued collaboration with longtime industry partners," said Dr. Hark-Sang Kim, EVP & Head of New Computing R&D Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. "As one of our most powerful PCs, Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 brings together top-tier performance with Galaxy's expansive mobile AI ecosystem for the ultimate AI PC experience."

MSI, a leading brand in gaming, content creation, and business & productivity laptops, proudly launched several next-gen AI+ gaming and business productivity laptops featuring the new Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) and AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series at IFA 2024. These laptops offer more AI computing power, making it the most robust platform for AI PC development, with more AI models, frameworks, and runtimes enable. Additionally, MSI officially launched the new Claw 8 AI+ Windows 11 gaming handheld device, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and an 8-inch screen, providing a smoother and broader mobile gaming experience. MSI also announced the whole new Venture series laptops, redefining the combination of thin, light and powerful. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and varieties of different size, from 14, 15.6, 16, to 17 inches.

"MSI not only brings the industry's most comprehensive AI+ PC lineup but also introduces multiple new laptops and handheld devices designed for gamers worldwide," said Eric Kuo, MSI's Executive Vice President and General Manager of NB Business Unit. "We welcome global guests to visit the MSI booth to experience next-gen AI computing and exciting gaming products."

The latest Steam hardware and software survey reveals a significant shift in the gamer's operating system landscape, with Windows 11 gaining 3.36% among Windows OSes and finally surpassing the 50% mark in August 2024, now standing at 50.81%. This milestone is a notable achievement, considering the OS had been experiencing a decline in popularity just a month prior. The sudden surge in Windows 11 adoption can be attributed to users transitioning from Windows 10, which lost 3.29% of its user base in the same period. Additionally, a few users on older Windows versions, such as 8.1 and 7, have also switched to Windows 11.

Despite Windows 11's growing popularity, Windows 10 remains a formidable presence, with 48.66% of Steam users still preferring the older OS. Its success can be attributed to its stability and compatibility with a wide range of games and hardware. Many users have expressed concerns over Windows 11's performance and its stringent hardware requirements, which have made it less accessible for some gamers, especially those without the TPM 2.0-enhanced system. However, with Microsoft set to discontinue security updates and technical support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, users will need to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or another supported OS in the near future. The periodical resurgence of Windows 10 suggests that some users are hesitant to give up the older OS, but the writing is on the wall. As the deadline for Windows 10 support approaches, more users will likely make the transition to Windows 11.

AMD announced that its Ryzen processor branch prediction optimization that provide gaming performance uplifts, is now available for Windows 11 23H2, through an optional update. This update applies to AMD Ryzen processors based on the "Zen 3," "Zen 4," and "Zen 5" microarchitectures, and essentially yields the kind of performance you get in the real Administrator account, on regular Windows accounts, especially non-local (online) accounts. Users should look for "Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5041587)" in Windows Update, which should begin showing up as an optional update. This update requires a system restart to apply.

With this update in place, gaming performance uplifts between Windows 11 23H2 and 24H2 should be identical. "We wanted to let you know that the branch prediction optimization found in Windows 11 24H2 has now been backported to Windows 11 23H2. Users will need to look for KB5041587 under Windows update > Advanced options > Optional updates. We expect the performance uplift to be very similar between 24H2 and 23H2 with KB5041587 installed," AMD said in a statement to Wccftech.

AMD's Ryzen processors have received a significant performance upgrade, thanks to the recent Windows 11 24H2 update. This development addresses initial disappointments with the Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" series performance, particularly in gaming applications. The update, which improves branch prediction capabilities, has resulted in substantial gains for both the Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" and Ryzen 7000 "Zen 4" CPU lineups. According to tests by Hardware Unboxed, Ryzen 9000 "Zen 5" CPUs have shown double-digit performance increases across multiple game titles, a boost typically seen only between generational upgrades.

Interestingly, contrary to AMD's initial claims, the performance gains are not limited to the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7000 "Zen 4" processors have also benefited from the update, with minimal performance differences observed between comparable Zen 5 and Zen 4 models after the update. This development marks a crucial turning point for AMD, addressing earlier criticisms and narrowing the gap between reported and expected performance figures. As users install the Windows 11 24H2 update, they can expect enhanced gaming experiences across a wide range of titles, highlighting the complex interplay between hardware capabilities and software optimization in modern computing. Below are the results from Hardware Unboxed benchmarks.

Microsoft has officially confirmed plans to phase out the Windows Control Panel, a feature that has been a key to the operating system since its inception in 1985. The tech giant recently stated on its support website, "The Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated in favor of the Settings app, which offers a more modern and streamlined experience." The Control Panel has undergone numerous transformations over its 39-year lifespan and has been a familiar tool for Windows users across generations. Its impending retirement signifies a major shift in Microsoft's approach to user interface design and system management. The Settings app, introduced with Windows 8 in 2012, has gradually absorbed the functionalities of the Control Panel. Despite rumors of its demise circulating for a while, this is the first time Microsoft has officially acknowledged the Control Panel's deprecation.

The company still needs to specify an exact timeline for the complete removal of this legacy feature. Microsoft is encouraging users to utilize the Settings app whenever possible, stating, "While the Control Panel still exists for compatibility reasons and to provide access to some settings that have not yet migrated, you are encouraged to use the Settings app, whenever possible." The Control Panel's longevity can be attributed primarily to two factors: ongoing compatibility concerns and the presence of certain functions not yet available in the Settings app. Microsoft's need to maintain backward compatibility with older software and hardware configurations has been a critical driver behind the Control Panel's continued inclusion in Windows. This legacy support ensures that users can still access essential system settings and utilities that still need to be successfully migrated to the more modern Settings interface. However, the complete transition is now seemingly ready.

Multiple users have recently reported that the August 13 Windows 11 update causes issues with dual-boot Linux/Windows configurations. However, the issues are actually related to changes in UEFI Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) policies. The issue stems from Microsoft enforcing SBAT and revoking old, exploitable certificates. Many Linux distributions use self-signed UEFI shims, which are no longer allowed due to known exploits. The new update revokes the SBAT certificates on affected, known exploitable versions of GRUB shipped with some Linux distributions. This can result in error messages like "Verifying shim SBAT data failed: Security Policy Violation" or "Something has gone seriously wrong: SBAT self-check failed: Security Policy Violation." To resolve this issue, Linux users need to update GRUB or disable the SBAT policy on the Linux side.

It's important to note that this is not primarily a Microsoft problem, but rather a necessary security update that affects some Linux distributions using outdated or vulnerable bootloaders. For more information on SBAT revocations and the boot process, users can refer to the Ubuntu Discourse here. This problem particularly impacts software developers and gaming enthusiasts who rely on dual-boot setups. As always, it's good practice for users to back up their data before performing any system updates. Considering alternatives like using virtual machines is also a good choice for users relying on older Linux distributions.

AMD Ryzen 9000 "Granite Ridge" desktop processors have been out for a couple of weeks now, and the "Zen 5" based processors have fallen short of gaming performance expectations, set mainly by some of the numbers AMD put out in its Computex 2024 reveal for the processors. The consensus among the tech press is that these processors are roughly 3-5% faster than Ryzen 7000 series "Raphael," but with noteworthy improvements in energy efficiency. AMD set out to study why there are such vast deltas in performance between its numbers and those of reviews, and arrived a few possible explanations. The company also stated that it is working with Microsoft to fix this in the next major update to Windows 11.

One of them is that AMD's testing was done on Windows 11 23H2 with Admin mode (i.e. a local system administrator account was used), while some reviewers tested with a regular user account that has some admin privileges. Apparently this affects the way the branch prediction units of "Zen 5" processors work. "Our automated test methodology was run in "Admin" mode which produced results that reflect branch prediction code optimizations not present in the version of Windows reviewers used to test Ryzen 9000 Series," AMD said in a statement.

With the latest Insider update to Windows 11, Microsoft refreshed its 30-year-old FAT32 file-system with support for a maximum volume size of 2 TB. The file-system was limited to 32 GB until now. This update, however, does not change the maximum file-size limit of 4 GB. The move is probably aimed at making life easy for enterprises using the file-system for whatever reason, or for high capacity removable media to have better cross-platform support (eg: to video equipment). If you mainly move files within a Windows ecosystem, it's highly recommended that you stick to NTFS as it offers security features and support for larger files, which FAT32 doesn't.

ZOTAC GAMING proudly announces the much-anticipated premium gaming handheld, the ZOTAC GAMING ZONE, is ready to begin accepting preorders in select regions and e-tailer platforms. The ZONE, which emphasizes premium hardware and elite controls, was announced COMPUTEX 2024 with great anticipation. Visitors arriving at GAMESCOM 2024, one of the largest video game trade fairs held annually in Cologne, Germany, will be the first to experience the thrills of gaming on the ZONE. The ZOTAC GAMING ZONE is the first handheld gaming PC on the market to incorporate premium hardware and elite control features that players will not find on other handheld PCs, offering gamers more immersion and advantages in PC games like non-other.

The ZOTAC GAMING ZONE is powered by AMD's Ryzen 7 8840U, an efficient powerhouse with bleeding edge Zen 4 architecture and RDNA 3 graphics that enables even AAA gaming at native 1080p resolution. Along with the 16 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 Memory on board, the ZONE makes the full spectrum of experiences that PC gaming can offer through stunning visuals and performance, and take advantage of AMD's driver-level Fluid Motion Frames (FMF) and FidelityFX Super Resolution technology to enhance gameplay performance and immersion further. Also featured are a full-sized 2280 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD and a UHS-II microSD card reader to cover every gamer's storage needs.

The original DOOM and DOOM II were relaunched as a package deal by ZeniMax late last week. This sees the two games wrapped around a new Windows executable that includes high resolution texture remasters (though it still looks quite blocky), along with online multiplayer, Crossplay support, and a 16:9 viewport that supports 4K resolution with 120 frames per second. This wouldn't be the first such "re-launch" by Bethesda, the parent publisher of ZeniMax, the company re-launched DOOM and DOOM II as separate games on Steam and Microsoft Store in 2019, with a modern Windows executable with WASD controls, a 16:9 viewport, "HD" textures, and the original MIDI background score pre-rendered as PCM. Both the 2019 and this new 2024 re-releases are fully compatible with the latest Windows 11, and don't need any emulators.

The 2024 re-launch includes all episodes of DOOM, DOOM II, all public mods, and a new first-party DOOM episode called "Legacy of Rust," created by community members who worked at id Software. This episode also includes some new weapons, such as a flamethrower. You also get a new Remixed background score. You can select between this, a pre-rendered original soundtrack, a pre-rendered Yamaha OPL3 FM synth soundtrack, or get the game to use a MIDI device. The DOOM + DOOM II 2024 release is available on GOG, Steam, EGS, and Microsoft Store for $9.99.

Interesting things are happening in the gaming community, as Windows 10 operating system has seen an increase in its user base on the Steam platform, while Windows 11 has dipped below the 46% mark for the first time since its launch. According to the latest July data from Steam's hardware and software survey, Windows 10's share rose to 47.69%, marking a significant uptick that contrasts with Windows 11's decline to 45.73%. This trend highlights a growing preference among gamers for the older operating system, which is often praised for its stability and compatibility with a wide range of games and hardware. Many users have expressed concerns over Windows 11's performance and its stringent hardware requirements, which have made it less accessible for some gamers, especially those without the TPM 2.0-enhanced system.

The shift in user demographics is particularly interesting given that Windows 11 was designed with gaming enhancements in mind, including features like DirectStorage and Auto HDR. However, the adoption rate appears to be hampered by issues related to compatibility and performance, leading many gamers to stick with the more familiar and reliable Windows 10. This trend could prompt Microsoft to reevaluate its approach to Windows 11, particularly in terms of addressing user concerns and enhancing compatibility with existing hardware. Other OSes are seeing stagnation, especially with Linux-based distributions recording zero change. Apple's OSX stands at 1.37%, a +0.06% increase from last month.

Qualcomm has started accepting preorders for its Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows, based on the Snapdragon X Elite processor. Initially announced in May, the device is now available for preorder through Arrow at a competitive price point of $899. Despite its relatively high cost compared to typical mini PCs, it undercuts most recent laptops equipped with Snapdragon X processors, making it an attractive option for both developers and power users alike. Measuring a mere 199 x 175 x 35 mm, it comes equipped with 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, a 512 GB NVMe SSD, and support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5 technologies. The connectivity options are equally robust, featuring three USB4 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, an HDMI output, and an Ethernet port.

This mini PC's heart lies the Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-00-1DE) processor. This chip houses 12 Oryon CPU cores capable of reaching speeds up to 3.8 GHz, with a dual-core boost potential of 4.3 GHz. The processor also integrates Adreno graphics, delivering up to 4.6 TFLOPS of performance, and a Hexagon NPU capable of up to 45 TOPS for AI tasks. While similar to its laptop counterpart, the X1E-84-100, this version is optimized for desktop use. It can consume up to 80 watts of power, enabling superior sustained performance without the constraints of battery life or heat dissipation typically associated with mobile devices. This dev kit is made primarily to optimize x86-64 software to run on the Arm platform; hence, removing the power limit is beneficial for translating the code to Windows on Arm. The Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows ships with a 180 W power adapter and comes pre-installed with Windows 11, making it ready for immediate use upon arrival.

Dynabook Americas, Inc., the gold standard for long-lasting, professional-grade laptops, today unveiled its latest addition to the premium Portégé family - the all-new 14-inch Portégé X40-M. Engineered with Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 1) and advanced AI capabilities, this new Windows 11 Pro laptop impeccably blends the most powerful modern hardware with sophisticated AI to maximize workplace productivity.

"The Portégé X40 has been one of Dynabook's best-selling laptops for years, and I believe that this latest iteration of an already-winning formula will further solidify the Portégé line as an indispensable booster of business efficiency and productivity," said James Robbins, General Manager, Dynabook Americas Inc. "With the integration of Intel's latest Core Ultra processors and Copilot AI enhancements, this laptop continues our tradition of delivering premium, cutting-edge capabilities that empower professionals."

The Windows 11 "patch Tuesday" update for July 2024 breaks Bitlocker drive encryption, Microsoft notes in its issue discovery. The company releases monthly major update packages for Windows, timing them on every second Tuesday of the month. The July 2024 update carries the knowledge-base identifier KB5040442, and applies to Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2. Bitlocker is a first-party disk encryption feature by Microsoft that's included with Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, and Windows 11 Enterprise editions. You are prompted a disk decryption password at every system startup, the disk remains encrypted until either password is input, or a Bitlocker Recovery process is followed.

The KB5040442 causes Bitlocker to forget its own password, forcing you to clear the Bitlocker Recovery process. When you encrypt a volume with Bitlocker, you are given a recovery key that you're supposed to safekeep. Those with online Microsoft accounts have the option to get Microsoft to store their recovery keys, so they could log into their Microsoft account on another device (like a phone), and access the stored recovery key, which they then manually input on the borked machine to create a new Bitlocker password. Microsoft acknowledges that Bitlocker recovery is only a workaround, KB5040442 will cause machines to forget their Bitlocker passwords, and force a recovery. The company is working on an update that fixes this, so if you have an always-on machine with Bitlocker that just got patched to KB5040442, you might want to keep the recovery key handy.

AMD today released the Ryzen Chipset Drivers 6.07.22.037 WHQL. The drivers are essential for notebooks powered by the latest Ryzen AI 300 series "Strix Point" processors, as they add driver support for the various SoC interfaces of the chip. The drivers are also needed to expose the NPU of Ryzen 7000 "Phoenix," Ryzen 8000 "Hawk Point," Ryzen 8000G desktop APUs, and Ryzen AI 300 "Strix Point" processors as a classified device in the Windows Device Manager, as well as give Windows 11 the ability to read out the NPU in the Task Manager, so you can look for things there such as real-time NPU utilization, memory footprint, and driver version. The driver package also updates the drivers of the various components, including GPIO, PSP, PPM, USB4 host controller, etc. It also adds program support for various interfaces of the SoC, including SMBus, Hetero, and RCEC. Grab the drivers from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: AMD Chipset Drivers 6.07.22.037

ASUS has revealed its upcoming ExpertBook P5 laptop, set to debut alongside Intel's highly anticipated "Lunar Lake" processors. This ultrabook aims to boost AI-capable laptop market, featuring an unspecified Intel Lunar Lake "Core Ultra 200V" CPU at its core. The ExpertBook P5 boasts impressive AI processing capabilities, with over 45 TOPS from its Neural Processing Unit and a combined 100+ TOPS when factoring in the CPU and GPU. The NPU provides efficient processing, with additional power coming from Lunar Lake's GPU with XMX cores, featuring the Xe2 Battlemage architecture. This is more than enough for the Copilot+ certification from Microsoft, making the laptop debut as an "AI PC." The ExpertBook P5 offers up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory running at 8333 MT/s, up to 3 TB of PCIe 4.0 SSD storage with two drives, and Wi-Fi 7 support.

The 14-inch anti-glare display features a 2.5K resolution and a smooth 144 Hz refresh rate, ensuring a premium visual experience. Despite its powerful internals, the ExpertBook P5 maintains a solid profile weighing just 1.3 kg. The laptop is housed in an all-metal military-grade aluminium body with a 180-degree lay-flat hinge, making it both portable and versatile. ASUS has also prioritized cooling efficiency with innovative technology that optimizes thermal management, whether the laptop is open or closed. Security hasn't been overlooked either, with the ExpertBook P5 featuring a robust security ecosystem, including Windows 11 secured-core PC framework, NIST-155-ready Commercial-Grade BIOS protection, and biometric login options. While an exact release date hasn't been confirmed, ASUS is preparing ExpertBook P5 and other Lunar Lake-powered laptops to hit the market in the second half of 2024.

The PC market gathered momentum in Q2 2024, with worldwide shipments of desktops and notebooks up 3.4% year-on-year, reaching 62.8 million units. Shipments of notebooks (including mobile workstations) hit 50 million units, growing 4%. Desktops (including desktop workstations), which constitute 20% of the total PC market, experienced a slight 1% growth, totaling 12.8 million units. The stage is now set for accelerated growth as the refresh cycle driven by the Windows 11 transition and AI PC adoption ramps up over the next four quarters.

"The PC industry is going from strength to strength with a third consecutive quarter of growth," said Ishan Dutt, Principal Analyst at Canalys. "The market turnaround is coinciding with exciting announcements from vendors and chipset manufacturers as their AI PC roadmaps transition from promise to reality. The quarter culminated with the launch of the first Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon processors and more clarity around Apple's AI strategy with the announcement of the Apple Intelligence suite of features for Mac, iPad and iPhone. Beyond these innovations, the market will start to benefit even more from its biggest tailwind - a ramp-up in PC demand driven by the Windows 11 refresh cycle. The vast majority of channel partners surveyed by Canalys in June indicated that Windows 10 end-of-life is likely to impact customer refresh plans most in either the second half of 2024 or the first half of 2025, suggesting that shipment growth will only gather steam in upcoming quarters."