Microsoft announced today that it will lay off 1,900 employees as part of a restructuring plan to streamline its operations and focus on its core businesses. The layoffs will affect employees across various divisions, including engineering, sales, marketing, and finance. Microsoft said that the majority of the affected employees will be notified by the end of March and will receive severance packages and transition assistance.
The company said that the layoffs are necessary to adapt to the changing market conditions and customer demands, as well as to invest in new areas of growth and innovation. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement: “We are taking these steps to ensure that Microsoft remains a leader in the technology industry and a trusted partner for our customers. We are grateful for the contributions of our employees and we are committed to supporting them through this transition.”
Microsoft also said that it will continue to hire in strategic areas, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, gaming, and cybersecurity. The company said that it expects to create more than 2,000 new jobs in these fields by the end of the year. Microsoft said that it aims to become a more agile and efficient organization that can deliver value to its customers and shareholders.
Republic of Gamers (ROG) announces the launch of the ROG Ally, a new Windows 11 gaming handheld. The ROG Ally runs on an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and can breeze through AAA games and indie titles in 1080p with ease. It will be available for sale worldwide on June 13th, 2023 for $699.99, with pre-orders starting May 11th.
The next-gen handheld ROG Ally offers Full HD gaming on the go. It promises to run modern AAA titles faster and smoother than any other handheld on the market. Since it runs Windows 11, it can play any game from any platform and includes 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate right out of the box.
The Ally is powered by an all-new Ryzen Z1 Series processor from AMD. Built on the “Zen” 4 architecture combined with AMD RDNA 3 architecture-based graphics, the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor rivals the prowess of game consoles with 8 cores, 16 threads, and up to 8.6 teraflops of graphics processing power.
Making this possible is ROG’s Zero Gravity thermal system, which uses a dual-fan system with ultra-thin heatsink fins and high-friction heat pipes to ensure the Ally stays cool in any orientation. The Ally also comes equipped with 16GB of high-speed LPDDR5 6400MHz memory, 512 GB of PCIe Gen 4 storage, and a UHS-II microSD card slot to further expand its storage capacity.
Flagship gaming performance demands a panel to match, and the Ally does not disappoint. Equipped with a 120Hz Full HD (1080p) panel with AMD FreeSync™ Premium technology, gamers will enjoy supreme motion clarity in fast-paced games, with no tearing or stuttering.
The ROG Ally takes handheld gaming to new heights. With a Full HD screen and hardware capable of 60 FPS in many of the latest titles, the ROG Ally provides an on-the-go experience that will satisfy gamers of all stripes. Compared to the 720p resolution of competing devices, the ROG Ally offers superior image and motion clarity thanks to its Full HD panel and AMD FreeSync™ Premium technology.
The Ryzen Z1 Extreme equipped model with 512GB of storage will be available for pre-order starting on May 11th and available for sale for $699.99 at Best Buy on June 13th. The ROG Ally model with the Ryzen Z1 chip will be available later this year.
ROG Ally specifications
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Processor
AMDRyzen™ Z1 Extreme ProcessorCPU: Zen 4 architecture, 8-core /16-threads, 24MB total cache ,up to 5.10Ghz boostGPU: 12 RDNA3CUs, up to 2.7GHz, 8.6TFlops, default 4GB RAM capacityAPU Power: 9-30W
1 x ROG XG Mobile Interface and USB Type-C combo port (with USB 3.2 Gen2, supports DisplayPort™ 1.4)
1 x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC)
Control and Input
Gamepad controls:A B X Y buttonsD-padL & R Hall Effect analog triggersL & R bumpersView buttonMenu buttonCommand Center buttonArmoury Crate button2 x assignable grip buttonsThumbsticks: 2 x full-size analog sticks with capacitive touchHaptics: HD hapticsGyro: 6-Axis IMU
Audio
AI noise-canceling technology
Dolby Atmos
Hi-Res certification
Built-in array microphone
2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology
Network and Communication
Triple band Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) 2 x 2Bluetooth 5.2
Battery
40WHrs
Power Supply
65W USB Type-C PD 3.0 power supplyAdapter: 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal
AURA SYNC
Yes
Weight
~608g (1.34 lbs)
Dimensions (W x D x H)
28.0 x 11.1 x 2.12 ~ 3.24 cm (11.02″ x 4.37″ x 0.83″ ~ 1.27″)
Hey gamers, welcome back to my blog where I share my thoughts and opinions on everything related to gaming. Today I want to talk about a big decision I made recently: switching from Playstation to Xbox. Yes, you read that right. I know some of you might be shocked or even angry, but hear me out. I have some good reasons for making this change and I want to share them with you.
First of all, let me say that I have nothing against Playstation. I have been a loyal fan of Sony’s consoles since the PS1 era and I have enjoyed many great games and experiences on them. I still have my PS4 and PS5 and I will continue to play them from time to time. But lately, I have been feeling more drawn to Xbox and what it has to offer.
One of the main reasons is Game Pass. This is a subscription service that gives you access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. You can download and play any game you want from a huge library that includes new releases, classics, indie gems, and even some exclusive titles. You can also stream games to your PC or mobile device with xCloud. This is a game-changer for me because it saves me a lot of money and time. Instead of buying games at full price or waiting for sales, I can just play whatever I want whenever I want. And if I don’t like a game, I can just delete it and try something else. No regrets, no hassle.
Another reason is the backward compatibility. Xbox supports playing games from previous generations of consoles, including the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. This means you can enjoy your old favorites or discover new ones without having to switch consoles or buy remasters. You can also benefit from improved graphics, performance, and features on newer hardware. For example, some games support FPS Boost, which increases the frame rate up to 120 fps, or Auto HDR, which adds high dynamic range lighting to older games. This makes playing old games feel fresh and new.
The third reason is the controller. I know this might sound trivial, but the controller is very important for me as a gamer. It’s the main way I interact with the games and it affects my comfort and enjoyment. And I have to say that I prefer the Xbox controller over the Playstation one. It feels more ergonomic and natural in my hands, the triggers are more responsive and adaptive, the thumbsticks are more precise and durable, and the battery life is longer. Plus, I like the design and color options better.
These are just some of the reasons why I switched from Playstation to Xbox. Of course, there are other factors that might influence your choice, such as exclusive games, online services, community, etc. But for me personally, Xbox offers more value, variety, and quality than Playstation right now. And that’s why I made the switch.
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with me? Have you ever switched consoles or are you loyal to one brand? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to like and subscribe for more gaming content. Thanks for reading and happy gaming!
With the popularity of streaming reaching an all-time high, the demand for gaming laptops has gone off the roof. Owning one is coming to be seen as a necessity, but getting yourself one might be a lot harder than you’d have anticipated. There are a lot of parts that go into the making of one and a single component out of order could impact the overall performance of the laptop. So, what are some of the core specifications that you should be concerned about?
1) Graphics processing unit (GPU)
This is one of the most important components of a gaming laptop. A lot of the popular games are pretty graphics intensive, so you’ll need a strong enough GPU to handle that stress on your device. You might end up spending a fortune later on it if you decide to upgrade your GPU, so it makes financial sense to invest in a quality GPU right when you’re assembling one.
From the latest Nvidia RTX-30 series to the Radeon RX series, there are plenty of options to choose from. But, base this decision on what kinds of games you intend to play and more importantly on what kind of game settings you prefer. The cost can range anywhere from $800 to $3,000 depending on their make and their power.
2) Central processing unit (CPU)
The next crucial component that you need to pay attention to while buying is a central processing unit. With newer variants entering the market with every passing day, the definition of what makes a good CPU isn’t limited only to speed. It simply isn’t that straightforward these days, too many factors need to be taken into consideration here.
But, in a broad sense, all that you need to be aware of is that there are two major players, Intel and AMD who’re both vying for a slice of the pie. While Intel was at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, its competitors have caught up and upped their game. So, get to research to better understand which CPU meets your requirements and if it’s within budget.
3) Random-access memory (RAM)
RAM more or less determines how efficiently your device works and whether it’s able to run the latest games without any difficulties. 8 GB should be more or less enough to suit most of your needs, but you can always go for the 12 GB ones, in case money isn’t an issue.
Another decision that you need to be taking is whether you want to use HDD or SSD method of storage. While HDDs are the standard option, SSD is significantly faster and are better at handling intensive activities. But, the caveat is that the SSD is pricier and may end up eating into the budget that you might have reserved for something else. A nice trade-off in today’s world is hybrid laptops that use a mixture of both HDD and SSD modes of storage. While HDD serves as the major portal, SSD is only used as a boot drive.
4) Display
If you’re not planning on getting a separate monitor, then you most likely will need a good display unit to go along with the powerful hardware. Some of the factors that you should account for while buying one are:
A) Size
The size of the display unit will impact your overall gaming experience. While the standard fixture is about 16 to 17 inches, you can always get ones that are either 14 or 18 inches. It’s simply a matter of what works best for you.
B) Resolution
The gold standard is the 4K screens, but they are fairly expensive and are not compatible with all the devices on the market. So, instead, you can always go for the 1920 x 1080 display.
C) Refresh rate
While you can choose from a wide range of refresh rates, right from 60 Hz to 360 Hz, 60 Hz should be more than good for all practical applications. Faster refresh rates would necessitate a better GPU, meaning you’ll have to spend more money than you’d have originally accounted for.
5) Laptop insurance
You’d have noticed that a lot of these components do cost a significant amount of money. What’s the point of making all these expensive purchases if you don’t get to enjoy its privileges, thanks to an ill-timed burglary? Getting insurance for laptops might seem like a far-fetched idea considering that your brand-new laptop does come with a manufacturer warranty, but this does not cover the eventuality that your device is stolen following a break-in.
The great thing about laptop insurance is that it is an intrinsic part of a renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance since it’s listed under perils. So, in this case, you’re at least assured that you’ll be suitably compensated in case your precious gaming laptop gets stolen.
6) Gaming accessories
Some of the other accessories that you can consider buying are an extra set of monitors, decent headphones with noise reduction, a gaming keyboard, and mice. They are not exactly bare necessities as such, but your gaming setup will feel complete which should make for an unparalleled experience.
Conclusion
So, that was a list of some of the core specifications that you need to pay attention to while getting a new gaming laptop. Do remember that all of them can be modified according to your needs and there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to buying one.
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Logitech G, a brand of Logitech announces the launch of the Logitech G413 SE and the G413 TKL (Tenkeyless) SE mechanical gaming Keyboard. The Logitec mechanical gaming keyboards seeks to bring precision, increase performance and affordability. By offering gaming-grade mechanical switches with PBT keycaps that are fade, wear and shine resistant. They will be available globally in February and on LogitechG.com at G413 SE for $79.99 and G413 TKL at $69.99.
The Logitech G413 SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboards feature Tactile Mechanical Switches which deliver uncompromising performance. It also gives discernible actuation for gamers who prefer direct feedback. In addition, the keyboards also feature PBT keycaps that are heat and wear-resistant. Logitech says it makes them one of the most durable PBT keycaps on the market.
“We spent a lot of time carefully designing keyboards that deliver advanced performance with just the right feature set,” says Ujesh Desai, vice president and general manager of Logitech Gaming. “Made with strong, durable materials and high-performance features, these keyboards are an excellent option for gamers who want a mechanical keyboard at a great price.”
It sports white LED lighting and a black-brushed aluminium-magnesium alloy top case as the keyboard’s backbone.
The keyboards will deliver reliable key input versus other non-gaming mechanical keyboards Logitech says. With the addition of the six-key rollover anti-ghosting performance. Meaning you can press multiple keys simultaneously and all will register at the same time to trigger a game move.
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