The video covers major industry updates including Microsoft’s immediate price hikes for Xbox consoles and games due to tariffs, and the soaring prices and limited availability of AMD’s Radeon RX 9700 GPUs amid ongoing supply issues. It also discusses potential market changes like ASRock’s liquid cooling business sale, a favorable court ruling for app developers in the Apple lawsuit, and rumors of a playable Half-Life 3, highlighting ongoing shifts in the tech and gaming landscape.
In this week’s hardware news, the host discusses upcoming plans to attend Computex in Taipei, highlighting the show’s significance in the industry and promising behind-the-scenes content about Taiwanese PC culture and local shops. The episode also features product promotions, including the Anttech Flux series of cases, and updates on the sale of older lab-tested hardware components like Betock Modmats, which are being offered at discounted prices to cope with rising global prices and inventory management. The host emphasizes the importance of affordable options amid widespread price hikes across tech products.
A major focus of the episode is Microsoft’s announcement of significant price increases for its Xbox consoles and upcoming first-party games, effective immediately. The Xbox Series X and S saw price hikes in the US, Europe, and the UK, with the console prices rising by $80 to $100 and game prices potentially reaching $80. The host attributes these increases largely to recent tariffs, especially since Xbox consoles are mainly produced in China. Microsoft’s rationale centers on market conditions and development costs, but the timing and scale suggest strategic moves to boost profits, similar to Nintendo’s recent game price hikes.
The episode also covers AMD’s GPU market, specifically the limited availability and inflated prices of the Radeon RX 9700 and 9700 XT cards. Despite AMD’s initial efforts to encourage MSRP pricing, the actual market prices have soared well above retail, with some models selling for over €800 in Europe and $700+ in the US. The host notes that these cards tend to sell out quickly at retail prices, and availability remains scarce, reflecting ongoing supply chain issues and high demand. This situation underscores the broader trend of inflated GPU prices driven by tariffs, scalping, and market speculation.
Further industry developments include the potential sale of ASRock’s liquid cooling business, which is based on an expiring patent that has historically protected certain pump-on-block cooling solutions. Discussions with multiple parties suggest a possible partnership or divestment, which could open up the market to cheaper, more accessible cooling options. The patent expiration may reduce legal barriers, allowing more companies to produce similar cooling solutions without fear of infringement. This could benefit consumers through more affordable products and increased competition in the liquid cooling segment.
Lastly, the host delves into various rumors and legal rulings shaping the tech landscape. Notably, a recent court decision favors developers like Epic Games in the ongoing Apple App Store lawsuit, ruling that Apple cannot restrict external purchase links or take a cut from external transactions. This ruling could have widespread implications for app developers and platform policies worldwide. Additionally, the episode touches on rumors of a playable Half-Life 3, with leaks suggesting development progress and potential release timelines, though the host remains skeptical about the authenticity. Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of recent industry shifts, legal battles, and market trends affecting consumers and manufacturers alike.