Microsoft is launching Copilot Checkout, an AI agent that can purchase items directly within a chat. Starting with partners like Etsy, PayPal, and Shopify, it aims to make shopping seamless. But it also makes Microsoft’s AI assistant more inescapable than ever.
The relentless demand for AI infrastructure is creating a severe memory shortage, and PC makers are feeling the heat. Prices for RAM and SSDs are surging, leading to immediate price hikes and potentially derailing the long-awaited business PC refresh cycle.
Dell has resurrected its iconic XPS laptop brand after shutting it down just over a year ago. The new XPS 14 and 16 models are available now, starting at $2,050, but they’re making a clear break from the recent “AI PC” marketing frenzy.
Samsung’s long-promised Ballie home robot has been “indefinitely shelved,” according to a new report. The spherical companion, first shown in 2020 and promised for a summer 2025 release, will now remain an internal “innovation platform.”
AMD is planning to launch socketed desktop versions of its Ryzen AI 400 mobile processors in Q2 2026. Executives hinted this could open the door for DIY builders to buy the laptop chips directly and install them in desktop PCs, a previously impossible feat.
Lenovo is making a major push into AI inference hardware with new purpose-built servers. This comes as the inferencing market, distinct from AI training, is forecast for massive growth. But can they stand out in a crowded field?
ASUS has given an early look at its 2026 hardware strategy, focusing on platform-level integration. The preview includes next-gen AMD motherboards, a surprisingly compact RTX 5090, and a powerful desktop AI supercomputer.
Acer is refreshing its mainstream Aspire laptop line with a focus on AI. The new Aspire 14 AI and 16 AI models will be powered by Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra Series 3 processors, featuring optional OLED displays and a suite of proprietary AI software tools.
Lenovo is teaming with Nvidia to slash AI infrastructure deployment times from months to weeks using a pre-integrated “AI cloud gigafactory” model. The move targets the intense pressure on enterprises to build AI capacity, but significant physical constraints remain.
Intel has officially launched its Panther Lake Core Ultra 3 mobile processors at CES 2026. Built on the new Intel 18A process, they promise massive performance uplifts and are the first chips designed and manufactured entirely in the US using this tech. Laptops are available for pre-order now, with
