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

Kyle MacLachlan as Hank MacLean in Fallout season 2, next to an iPhone 16e, next to Jason Duval in GTA outside a hotel

The year the internet broke – the 11 biggest tech fails that defined 2025, ranked

By Darren Allan published

The biggest tech flops of this year, from Amazon taking out the internet to iPhone disappointment and hate for Copilot.

Maingear BYO RAM scheme showing RAM sticks on a desk

Scared RAM price hikes will make your new PC a lot pricier? 'BYO RAM' is Maingear's answer – meaning you provide your own memory

By Darren Allan published

There's a PC building party going on, just Bring Your Own RAM…

Corsair lighting enhancement kit Vengeance DDR5 shown in motherboard

RAM buyers beware — expensive high-end memory kit from Corsair was reportedly swapped for dummy RGB lighting modules

By Darren Allan published

A buyer returned their 96GB memory kit worth $999 only to receive a replacement that consisted of $35 worth of dummy RGB lighting modules.

Back view of a man using a laptop with Windows 11's Microsoft Store app open

Windows 11 preview provides more details on how AI agents will work – but this remains a controversial path for Microsoft

By Darren Allan published

We know more about how AI agents will work thanks to the latest Windows 11 preview – but not everyone's happy.

Computer memory RAM on motherboard background

Watch out – RAM rip-offs are now in vogue, so here's how to avoid falling for high-end memory scams

By Darren Allan published

Forget 'rock in a box' GPUs, high-end RAM scams are now being reported – here's how to avoid getting stung.

Origin Code Vortex DDR5 RAM close up of cooler

Don't think RAM is expensive enough yet? DDR5 sticks with a triple-fan cooler on top will be shown off at CES 2026

By Darren Allan published

DDR5 memory sticks with a triple-fan cooler on top are going to leave your wallet quaking in fear.

Lenovo Legion Go 2

Lenovo leaks reveal surprise SteamOS-powered Legion Go 2 – and full specs for its bold rollable OLED gaming laptop

By Darren Allan published

Lenovo leaks reveal surprise SteamOS-powered Legion Go 2 – and specs for its bold rollable OLED gaming laptop.

Person using laptop and phone

Smart new features for Android smartphones just arrived in Windows 11 – including remotely locking your PC via the phone

By Darren Allan published

Remotely locking your Windows 11 PC is now possible using an Android phone thanks to updated app – here's how to get it.

An Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070

Uh-oh — Nvidia could drastically reduce supply of its RTX 5000 gaming GPUs in 2026, cutting production by up to 40%

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia is rumored to be cutting supply of RTX 5000 models by 30% to 40% in the first half of 2026.

Acer Aspire 14 AI Laptop powered on to the Windows 11 login screen

Microsoft explains how Windows 11's AI agents will get access to your files – but bigger worries remain

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft calms some fears about Windows 11's AI agents, clarifying permissions around file access.

RAM

Fresh RAM woes emerge in the form of a rumor that Samsung has doubled the cost of DDR5

By Darren Allan published

Hopes that steep RAM price rises could plateau are potentially dashed by new rumor of Samsung price hikes.

Windows 11 Linux app

Microsoft is fixing a huge problem with a nifty Windows 11 security feature that polices app installations

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 has a powerful security feature you may not have heard of – and I'm glad to see Microsoft is fixing its most baffling drawback.

Doom

New DoomScroll website is an 'endless' library of Doom maps you can pick from and play in your browser

By Darren Allan published

I was going to be RPG'ing on my PS5 Pro over the holidays, but now I might play Doom in my browser instead.

Samsung 870 QVO

Looking for a cheap SSD? Don't wait – Samsung could stop producing budget models soon

By Darren Allan published

SSD price rises could hit budget drives hard, so buy now, don't wait – and there's more RAM misery in the cards too.

Angry PC gamer sitting at a gaming desktop PC and losing

Confused about AMD's FSR Redstone update? You're not alone – here's what it all means for PC gamers

By Darren Allan published

Confused about FSR Redstone? I don't blame you – here's the lowdown on all AMD's new game boosting features.

A young woman is working on a laptop in a relaxed office space.

Bored with your Windows 11 desktop? Microsoft is offering a free upgrade of handpicked themes from its store

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft wants to make it easy to revamp your Windows 11 desktop by offering free curated themes in its store.

man sleeping underneath his laptop

New Windows 10 update is reportedly causing havoc for some, including breaking a popular customization tool

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft's latest patch breaks stuff – but the surprise is this is Windows 10, not Windows 11.

Phone Link app in Windows 11

Microsoft stops breaking Windows 11 – instead it just made Phone Link even better with Android apps

By Darren Allan published

Like to run Android apps on Windows 11 using Phone Link? A new feature is coming that's sure to please.

Computer memory RAM on motherboard background

High-end DDR5 RAM kits now costing more than an Nvidia RTX 5090 proves we live in the worst timeline

By Darren Allan published

Did you think a high-end RAM kit would ever cost more than an Nvidia RTX 5090? Well, it does, and that's truly scary.

Happy woman sitting on a bed with a coffee and a laptop

Think AI actions in Windows 11 are pointless? Microsoft is letting you banish them from the right-click menu

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 will soon have tidier right-click menus by allowing AI actions to be fully removed from File Explorer.

AMD Ryzen 5 2500X

The fastest gaming CPU could get a supercharged version soon, as new AMD Ryzen 9850X3D leak pops up

By Darren Allan published

AMD Ryzen 9850X3D leak suggests refresh is imminent, and that'd be good news in more ways than one.

Nvidia GTC 2025 Jensen Huang keynote

'They can build a hospital in a weekend': Nvidia CEO warns about China's big AI advantages — as report reveals it now has 30% of global AI usage

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia's CEO has again warned about China's swift progress and potential to move ahead in the AI race.

Asus Zenbook A14 laptop at Windows login screen

Windows 11 25H2 update is now available for all PCs – here's how to get it

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 25H2 has the green light for deployment across all eligible PCs (including Windows 10 upgrades).

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK gaming monitor tilted slightly to the side, showing the Windows desktop screen

Windows 11's Run prompt is getting a makeover and a handy extra power – but already there are worries Microsoft will ruin it

By Darren Allan published

An ancient part of Windows 11 is seemingly getting a makeover – but people are scared Microsoft's going to somehow make it sluggish.

A Crucial Pro Overclocking RAM kit

The PC component crisis just got worse, as major RAM maker gives up on consumers and CPU price hikes are rumored

By Darren Allan published

Want more pessimistic predictions of future component pricing? We're not short of those right now, sadly.

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