Ben Wilson
Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.
Forever a Windows XP fan who cut his teeth by helping his family transition from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 with a stack of floppy disks and paper manuals, he's dedicated to Microsoft's operating system and everything remotely compatible. If he isn't covering AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm processors or dabbling in Valve's Linux-based Steam Deck handheld, he's probably playing Euro Truck Simulator 2 for some low-speed (but realistic) thrills.
Latest articles by Ben Wilson
My all-time favorite All-in-One PC is STILL cheaper than ever as Prime Day ends, and it's the most adorable portable desktop
By Ben Wilson published
Price Envy The HP Envy Move is a portable all-in-one (AIO) PC with a built-in battery that offers a full desktop experience in any room, thanks to clever pop-out feet and a built-in handle. It's genius.
Every custom PC I've ever built featured this ultra-affordable upgrade — STILL cheaper after Prime Day and a total no-brainer
By Ben Wilson published
SSD-eal Storage drives are one of the most approachable PC upgrades for even the most novice of custom builders, and one of my top recommendations is at a rock-bottom price during Prime Day.
MOZA TSW review: The best steering wheel for Euro Truck Simulator 2 you could ever hope to find
By Ben Wilson published
Review You'll need to adopt an entire direct drive wheelbase ecosystem, but MOZA's TSW Truck Wheel is worth the entry price for die-hard trucking sim enthusiasts.
Tech-loving Brits shouldn't wait for Prime Day — this is the ONLY thing worth buying now that makes summer working bearable
By Ben Wilson published
Heatwave proof A portable air conditioner can be the difference between an unbearable UK heatwave and a relaxing day working from home. Those in the US can benefit, too; there's no gatekeeping with staying cool.
Lenovo Slim 7i 14 (Gen 9) review: The best travel companion for my recent trip around the globe (and it's under $1,000)
By Ben Wilson published
Review Updating its 14-inch Slim 7i laptop for a 9th Gen, Lenovo offers a fantastic all-rounder with all-day battery life and a gorgeous OLED screen for a fair price.
Best CPU cooler for AMD Ryzen 9 7950X in 2024
By Ben Wilson, Cale Hunt last updated
Keep it cool The Ryzen 9 7950X offers incredible gaming performance offset by high power draw causing raised temperatures, so we've found the best CPU cooler to match.
Govee Neon Rope Light 2 review: Still the best value on creative smart lights for gamers with an artistic flair
By Ben Wilson published
Review Govee continues to offer creative and unique solutions to RGB-loving gamers, and this second-generation refresh of its Neon Rope Light is a fantastic example of why it's unmatched.
Best gaming chairs in 2024
By Ben Wilson last updated
Updated I've picked the best gaming chairs for you, your kids, or your significant other with various styles and features to fit your budget in 2024.
WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive review: Backing up 6TB of my Xbox library has my ISP breathing a sigh of relief
By Ben Wilson published
Review Western Digital's WD_BLACK P10 external drive will appeal to PC and Xbox gamers with up to 130MB/s transfer speeds and 6TB of storage to help offload those giant AAA game installs.
What's the difference between Samsung EVO Select and EVO Plus?
By Ben Wilson last updated
Samsung EVO If you're shopping for microSD cards to expand your external storage options, you've likely noticed a confusing crossover between Samsung EVO Select and EVO Plus. So what's the difference?
Intel Xe2 GPU to deliver a HUGE graphics boost as "Battlemage" tech comes to next-gen Lunar Lake laptops and handhelds
By Ben Wilson published
Battlemage lives Intel introduces its overhauled Xe2 graphics microarchitecture for upcoming mobile devices powered by its Lunar Lake SoC, contributing to a 1.5x performance boost over the previous generation.
"Lunar Lake delivers a faster core performance than ARM": Intel is on track to change the way you think about AI PCs
By Ben Wilson published
Lunar Lake is legit At the third Intel Tech Tour in Taipei, Taiwan, its executive team revealed details about the upcoming Lunar Lake mobile processors and showcased across-the-board performance improvements.
Surface Pro 11 could have emptied my wallet to be my new Copilot+ PC if Microsoft hadn't missed one crucial launch option
By Ben Wilson published
So close Microsoft provides a new platform for AI PCs with Copilot+, but its in-house Surface Pro 11 doesn't quite convince me while it misses part of my personal criteria.
What is Microsoft's Prism? Explaining the emulation engine for Windows on Arm and why it's compared to Apple's Rosetta 2
By Ben Wilson published
Prism Prism is an ARM emulator that promises a "2x performance boost" in the next generation of Copilot+ AI PCs and even current-gen options. Here's what it means for you.
Intel's next-gen Lunar Lake processors will launch in new AI PCs sooner than you think, hot on the heels of Snapdragon X and ARM
By Ben Wilson published
Lunar Lake Intel's next-generation mobile processors, codenamed Lunar Lake, feature an upgraded 45+ TOPS NPU and a long-awaited GPU architecture to take on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X platform.
Crucial Pro Memory: Overclocking Edition DDR5 RAM review — Hitting the Ryzen sweet spot with no frills
By Ben Wilson last updated
Review Crucial expands its DDR5 desktop memory range with kits targeting gamers and enthusiasts looking to hit the 6000MT/s sweet spot, but is it worth it?
The new OmniBook X AI PC powered by Snapdragon X represents a whole new era for HP laptops
By Ben Wilson, Cale Hunt published
OmniBook X Say goodbye to Spectre, Envy, and Pavilion. Hello, OmniBook!
Elgato 4K Pro review: The only capture card you'll ever need (if your PC can handle it)
By Ben Wilson published
Review Your motherboard will need specific sockets and spare bandwidth, but the 4K Pro is Elgato's ultimate offering to gaming content creators.
Opera becomes the latest ARM-native browser: “Windows is our biggest audience, so Snapdragon X (devices are) top priority”
By Ben Wilson published
Opera on ARM Opera Browser targets Windows on Arm devices powered by Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon X platform with a native ARM version that increases battery life and utilizes NPUs for AI features.
Will Adobe expand native app support for Windows on Arm and Snapdragon X chips?
By Ben Wilson published
Adobe on ARM Adobe offers only Photoshop and Lightroom as ARM-native apps, but could this change with the rise of game-changing Snapdragon X devices in 2024?
The best gaming desktop CPU you can buy is now $90 cheaper thanks to a limited promo code — and that includes free delivery
By Ben Wilson published
7800X3D Newegg offers AMD's phenomenal Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the best gaming processor you can buy today, for under $350 with a promo code available to all.
Best CPU coolers in 2024 for AMD Ryzen and Intel Core desktops
By Ben Wilson published
Updated CPU coolers are critical in custom-built desktops and help your processor perform to their maximum potential. Here are my top picks to match your components and budget.
I'm putting Windows on ARM compatibility to the test with my accessories and peripherals — has anything improved?
By Ben Wilson published
ARM ready I'm testing my wireless earbuds, joypads, and printer to test whether ARM-based Windows devices support my favorite accessories.
HYTE THICC Q60 review: The most ridiculous AIO CPU cooler I've ever tested is also one of the best
By Ben Wilson published
Review HYTE, best known for its gigantic "fish tank" PC cases, enters the CPU cooler scene with the THICC Q60 AIO and FP12 case fans — are the extravagant aesthetics worth the high cost?
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