In this week’s HW News recap, the hosts discuss the ongoing chaos surrounding tariffs and their impact on hardware pricing and availability, while also reporting on AMD’s upcoming Radeon GPU series and Nvidia’s decision to make PhysX open source. They also announce the Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch on June 5, 2025, with upgraded features, but note that pre-order dates may be delayed due to tariff uncertainties.
In this week’s HW News recap, the hosts discuss the ongoing chaos surrounding tariffs and their impact on the hardware industry. They are currently traveling to meet with various hardware companies to gather insights on how tariffs are affecting pricing and availability for consumers. The hosts highlight that tariffs are continuously changing, creating uncertainty for manufacturers and consumers alike. They also mention that some AI GPUs have been unbanned in China, and there are rumors surrounding AMD’s upcoming Radeon GPU series, including the 9060 XT and a potential 9070 GRE edition.
The video also features an advertisement for the Montac Hyperflow series of liquid coolers, which aim to provide affordable liquid cooling solutions with good performance and aesthetic appeal. The hosts express excitement about their journey, emphasizing their goal to learn about the implications of tariffs on the hardware industry. They mention that many companies are willing to discuss these issues on camera, which they find surprising. The hosts are committed to presenting the information in an apolitical manner while focusing on the factual impact of tariffs on hardware pricing.
The discussion transitions to Nvidia’s recent decision to make PhysX and its GPU simulation kernel open source, a significant move that could benefit the gaming and development community. This change comes after criticism regarding Nvidia’s previous lack of support for certain technologies. The hosts express interest in seeing how the open-source community will utilize this release to improve compatibility and functionality in various applications and games.
In hardware news, the hosts report on the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2, which is set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $450. The new console will feature upgraded specifications, including enhanced controllers, built-in microphones, and game-sharing capabilities. However, the pre-order dates for the Switch 2 have been delayed due to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, with Nintendo indicating that they will provide updates as the situation evolves. The hosts note that the pricing and availability of the console could be affected by the tariffs imposed on production in China and Vietnam.
Finally, the hosts summarize the current state of the hardware industry amid the tariff chaos, emphasizing the unpredictability and rapid changes that are complicating the situation for manufacturers. They share anecdotes from various companies expressing frustration over the instability of the tariff landscape and its impact on pricing strategies. The hosts conclude by acknowledging the challenges they face in providing accurate consumer advice in light of the fluctuating prices and potential changes in product availability, while inviting viewers to share their thoughts on how to navigate these complexities.