Articles by Darren Allan

Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).

Articles by: Darren Allan

Two laptops showing Windows 11 and Windows 10

Windows 11 is now 5 years old — and for the first time this decade, I think Microsoft's finally onto a winner with the OS

By Darren Allan Published 24 June 26

Windows 11 got off on the wrong foot, but Microsoft has recovered strongly this year with the fix the OS campaign — and more besides.

If you were on the fence about the Steam Machine, this RAM configuration twist might push you off it — straight into the build-your-own camp

By Darren Allan Published 23 June 26

'This whole Steam Machine is the most depressing thing for me in the last 7 months. It's officially DOA': gamers hate the RAM configuration lottery with Valve's new PC.

'Going to make myself stick with SteamOS instead of slithering back to Windows': gamers get ready to abandon Windows 11, as Valve focuses on boosting SteamOS on the desktop

By Darren Allan Published 23 June 26

Valve has made it clear how it's improving SteamOS for desktop PCs, and working hard to support Nvidia GPUs.

7 Comments

Memory expert predicts huge RAM price hikes over the rest of 2026 — but I'm not buying it (the forecast, or the RAM)

By Darren Allan Published 23 June 26

Fed up with high RAM prices? They could get way worse in 2026, and this is getting seriously depressing now.

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 26H2 is another boring update that does nothing — but here's why I'm happy about that

By Darren Allan Published 22 June 26

Microsoft has adopted a new way of working with Windows 11's annual updates — and I very much approve.

5 things to buy now before the RAM crisis worsens — from affordable SSDs to price hike-beating MacBooks

By Darren Allan Published 21 June 26

Here's what I'd advise you to consider buying now ahead of likely price hikes, especially if you can get a decent deal.

Sonos speakers, Tim Cook, and the new Commodore flip phone

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories, from Commodore flip-phone nostalgia to Tim Cook's Apple price-hike warning

By Hamish Hector Published 20 June 26

The week's 7 biggest tech news stories, featuring Commodore, Apple, Microsoft and more, for June 20, 2026.

BOE new OLED Generation 8.6 panel factory viewed from the front

China's huge OLED screen factory is finally rolling at full speed — and I'm excited about what this means for cheaper OLED monitors and laptops

By Darren Allan Published 19 June 26

This will provide much-needed competition for LG and Samsung who dominate with OLEDs.

SSD expert shares some worrying truths about Chinese chip makers — and I think this could be more bad news for the RAM crisis

By Darren Allan Published 19 June 26

Here's another sign the RAM crisis is here to stay, as boss in SSD supply chain shares some home truths about Chinese chip makers.

7 Comments

Valve releases SteamOS 3.8 — and it comes with the biggest hint yet that the Steam Machine is about to arrive

By Darren Allan Published 18 June 26

The evidence that the Steam Machine is imminent is piling up, as a new version of SteamOS officially prepares the ground for Valve's gaming PC.

Looking to upgrade your Mac? You might want to do it soon — Tim Cook just warned that 'price increases are unavoidable' for Apple products

By Darren Allan Published 18 June 26

A good deal on a MacBook now could be the smartest move you make this year if you're in need of a laptop upgrade.

Forget NPCs, now we have CPCs — Co-Playable Characters or AI teammates in PUBG courtesy of Nvidia ACE tech, but I'm not impressed so far

By Darren Allan Published 17 June 26

Many gamers are doubtful, mystified, or think that this will be beyond amusing.

The PC component crisis isn't going away: retail market for SSDs has 'almost disappeared' we're told, and DDR5 RAM prices refuse to drop

By Darren Allan Published 17 June 26

SSD prices remain sky-high alongside the cost of RAM — and a report suggests hard drives are getting more expensive too.

Intel CPU with integrated Nvidia RTX GPU rumored to arrive early in 2028 — and I can't wait to see this power up gaming laptops and handhelds

By Darren Allan Published 16 June 26

Can't wait for Intel's CPU with built-in Nvidia RTX graphics? Mark CES 2028 tentatively in your calendar.

Surface Pro and Surface Laptop shown back-to-back, you can see both lids and Windows logos

Microsoft reveals new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with big graphics upgrades from Snapdragon X2 CPUs — but they're seriously pricey

By Darren Allan Published 16 June 26

Microsoft's new Surface devices for consumers are on sale now, but they've been hit with major price hikes.

MacBook Neo comes under fire in AMD's latest marketing campaign — but it's a poorly thought-out attack

By Darren Allan Published 15 June 26

'Imagine if 'Macs don't game' is the best you've got, lol. I'd fire my marketing team': AMD's going after the MacBook Neo in a very confusing manner.

Windows 11 Update showing on laptop in an office

Fed up with constantly installing various updates for Windows 11? Microsoft is making monthly multiple reboots a thing of the past

By Darren Allan Published 15 June 26

Windows 11 is getting another boost to the way updates work — and this appears to be a major focus for Microsoft currently.

The macOS 27 beta is already a 'mind-blowing' revelation for some MacBook owners — here are 3 reasons why it isn't the lowkey release it seems

By Darren Allan Published 14 June 26

The first beta of macOS 27 Golden Gate is seriously impressing testers with its stability and performance levels, along with vital interface changes.

Old Nvidia GPUs are being resurrected to cope with the RAM crisis — but one big chip maker seems determined that a memory shortage won't happen again

By Darren Allan Published 12 June 26

The RAM shortage is driving Nvidia's partners to bring back half-decade-old boards — but SK Hynix has a masterplan to solve future memory woes.

Intel Wildcat Lake Reference Laptop showing lid

Intel claims its Wildcat Lake notebooks 'reimagine mainstream laptops' — and are ready to take on the MacBook Neo

By Darren Allan Published 11 June 26

After Intel's explanation of how it's ensuring Wildcat Lake is more affordable, I'm now more excited to see these rivals for the MacBook Neo.

Microsoft is bringing AI features to more Windows 11 PCs — just in case you were under the impression that AI was being cut back

By Darren Allan Published 11 June 26

Microsoft is bringing AI features to a 'broader range of Windows 11 devices', with Copilot+ abilities set to arrive on PCs with a fast enough Nvidia GPU.

AMD exec says DDR5 RAM pricing won't normalize until 2028 — and it's sad that given other predictions, I feel this is overly optimistic

By Darren Allan Published 11 June 26

Is now the time to buy a laptop, before bigger price hikes kick in? I'm becoming more convinced about that theory.

Windows 11's June update is here — these are the 3 most important features, including a huge move to make apps and menus load much faster

By Darren Allan Published 10 June 26

The main addition here is part of Microsoft's drive to make Windows 11 feel much snappier and more responsive all round.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang holding a laptop on stage at Computex 2026

The RAM crisis will last 'quite a few years' says Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang — so despite hiked prices, I think if you want a new laptop, now might be the time to buy

By Darren Allan Published 9 June 26

If the memory crisis will last 'quite a few years' what does that really mean for consumers? Here are my expert predictions for laptop, PC, and component prices.

Dell's new Nvidia RTX Spark mini PC has distinct Mac Studio vibes — and I think it could tempt buyers away from Apple given its current stock woes

By Darren Allan Published 8 June 26

Is the Dell XPS RTX Spark Desktop a genuine alternative to Apple's powerhouse? It might well be, alongside other mini PCs with Nvidia's N1X chip.

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