This week’s hardware news highlights Nvidia’s leaked ARM-based N1X CPU showing competitive performance, Asus and Microsoft’s launch of the ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming device, and Matrox’s return with a dual Intel Arc A380 GPU card for video walls. Additionally, strong sales of Nintendo’s Switch 2, Nvidia’s rumored RTX 5050 GPU, FAA system upgrades, and various tech industry updates round out a diverse week in technology developments.
This week’s hardware news recap covers a range of exciting developments in the tech industry. First up, Nvidia’s rumored ARM-based CPU, codenamed N1X, has appeared in Geekbench listings, showing promising performance metrics that position it competitively against Intel’s processors. This chip is believed to be part of a collaboration with MediaTek and targets consumer markets, marking Nvidia’s continued expansion beyond GPUs into CPU territory. While the benchmarks are preliminary, this signals Nvidia’s growing presence in ARM architecture for desktops and laptops.
Matrox, an older video card manufacturer, has made a comeback with a unique dual Intel Arc A380 GPU card designed for high-performance video walls. This card supports up to eight displays and features synchronized frame locking, allowing multiple cards to be linked for even more outputs. Although not aimed at gamers, this creative use of dual GPUs showcases Intel’s openness to innovative hardware designs, contrasting with Nvidia’s stricter partner policies. Enthusiasts hope this might eventually lead to a revival of multi-GPU setups for gaming, despite past issues with micro-stuttering.
Microsoft and Asus have partnered to launch the ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming device, featuring AMD Ryzen processors and a stripped-down Windows 11 OS optimized for gaming. The device aims to combine the portability of handheld consoles with the power of PC gaming, including AI integration for enhanced player experiences. This move comes amid Microsoft’s struggles in Xbox hardware sales and competition from Steam OS and Nintendo’s new Switch 2. The ROG Xbox Ally offers high-end specs, including a 7-inch 120Hz display and multiple configurations, highlighting Microsoft’s renewed focus on portable gaming.
In other news, Nintendo’s Switch 2 has seen a strong launch with over 3.5 million units sold in its first four days, though iFixit criticized its repairability, particularly the glued-in battery and soldered USB-C ports. Meanwhile, PC component makers like Gigabyte and MSI are rushing to fulfill orders ahead of a tariff pause expiration, amid ongoing trade uncertainties. Nvidia’s rumored RTX 5050 GPU is also appearing in laptop listings, though details about its memory type remain unclear, adding to the typical unpredictability of Nvidia’s product releases.
Finally, the FAA is modernizing its outdated systems by ditching floppy disks and Windows 95, aiming to complete upgrades within four years at a multi-billion-dollar cost. Other notable updates include Apple signaling the end of Intel Mac support with macOS 26, TSMC accelerating its US fab construction, and quirky fixes like a Reddit user resolving a GPU-motherboard compatibility issue with insulating tape. The recap also touched on new products like a 720Hz OLED monitor, Razer’s DIY keyboard, and a LEGO Alienware Area 51 desktop kit, rounding out a diverse week in hardware news.