The tech world is constantly evolving, and this week has been no exception. From AMD's push into the GPU market to some head-scratching decisions from Apple and a tempting deal on a powerful mini PC, there's plenty to discuss. Let's dive in!
AMD Challenges NVIDIA with New GPUs
AMD is stepping up its game in the graphics card arena with the release of the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT. For years, AMD has tried to undercut NVIDIA with cheaper cards, and while that strategy continues, these new cards offer significantly improved performance, especially in 4K and ray tracing. According to early benchmarks, these cards are "far more compelling than AMD's previous lineup."
The Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT are AMD's first RDNA 4 GPUs, featuring more powerful compute units and enhanced ray tracing and AI accelerators. While the 9070 XT has slightly higher clock speeds and more compute and AI processors, both come with 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM. This generous memory allocation could prove beneficial for handling larger textures in future games.
While NVIDIA's DLSS technology remains more mature, AMD is working to catch up with its FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR4). Initial tests show that FSR4 prioritizes image quality over raw frame rate boosts, potentially offering a more visually appealing experience. "AMD still has to prove that it can catch up to NVIDIA's DLSS, which has had several years to steadily improve its AI upscaling capabilities," but the new cards are a promising step in the right direction.
Apple's Questionable Choices
Apple recently unleashed a flurry of new products. While some are welcome, others have left many scratching their heads. One of the most puzzling decisions is the omission of MagSafe charging from the new budget-friendly iPhone 16e. MagSafe has become a staple of the iPhone ecosystem, so its absence on a new model is surprising.
Another point of contention is the latest iPad Air update, which primarily features a slightly faster M3 chip. With no other significant improvements, some are questioning the need for such a minor refresh. The 11th-generation iPad also raises eyebrows, as it lacks support for Apple Intelligence despite being released in 2025. "Every new device in Apple’s iPad, iPhone, and Mac lineup is built for Apple Intelligence—except the A16 iPad."
The Mac Studio's use of the M3 chip instead of the more advanced M4 has also drawn criticism. And the confusing pricing and features of the various Apple Pencil models only add to the overall bewilderment. These decisions leave the Apple lineup in a somewhat perplexing state.
Deal Alert: Bosgame P3 Mini PC
If you're looking for a powerful and compact computing solution, the Bosgame P3 mini PC is currently on sale for $330 on Amazon. This mini PC packs a punch with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It's capable of handling everyday tasks, video editing, and even some light gaming.
One of the standout features of the Bosgame P3 is its ability to support up to three 4K monitors simultaneously. This makes it an excellent choice for multitasking and productivity. "The Bosgame P3 is a multitasker's dream because it can support up to three 4K monitors because it comes with support for three 4K@60Hz displays via its HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C 4.0 ports." This deal is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, but a free trial is available.
From competitive GPUs to questionable product decisions and tempting deals, this week in tech has been anything but dull. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the industry continues to evolve.