Amazon warns Surface Laptop 7 shoppers as Mojang unveils massive visual update to Minecraft and Microsoft leaks a potential new feature for the Xbox app on Windows 11

The Surface Laptop 7 is now flagged as a frequently returned item by Amazon. (Image credit: Windows Central)

Jump to:

Surface Laptop 7 returns
Minecraft "Vibrant Visual" update
Leaked Xbox/Steam integration
HP announces dozens of PCs
Windows Central Podcast
Reviews
Deals of the Week

Microsoft stayed relatively quiet on the news front over the last week, but news throughout the Windows and Xbox ecosystems heated up as temperatures in the northern hemisphere spiked.

This past week we saw Amazon add a warning to the Surface Laptop 7's listing page, Mojang unveil a major visual upgrade to Minecraft, and HP announce 25 devices.

Surface Laptop 7 returns

Amazon now shows a notice to customers looking to purchase a Surface Laptop 7. The online retailer says the Surface Laptop 7 is a frequently returned item.

The warning encourages shoppers to research the device and product reviews before making a purchase.

Unfortunately, Amazon does not specify why people return the Surface Laptop 7 frequently. It could be due to anything from customer dissatisfaction to hardware faults.

While the reasons could be mundane or a matter of personal preference, it's not a good look for Microsoft or the Surface brand. The Surface Laptop 7 is supposed to be a flagship device and should not be returned frequently.

The Surface Laptop 7 earned high reviews from tech journalists and has a positive rating on Amazon, but the warning label on its listing is a red flag — or in this case a yellow box.

Minecraft "Vibrant Visual" update

YouTube

Watch On

Minecraft has a major update in the works that will enhance the game's visuals. The new "Vibrant Visuals" were one of many things shown during Minecraft Live this past week.

Those who love the classic look of Minecraft need not worry about Vibrant Visuals. Gameplay mechanics and systems will remain the same.

The update is more like a fancy coat of paint than an overhaul. The iconic blocky designs of Minecraft are here to stay.

Specifically, Vibrant Visuals updates textures, directional lighting, volumetric fog, and more. Lighting, shadows, and reflections see the biggest change in the update.

Vibrant Visuals will ship to Minecraft: Bedrock Edition in the coming months. The Java Edition of Minecraft will receive the update eventually.

I hope the update with Vibrant Visuals makes its way to Minecraft. There have been delays and cancelations of previous visual updates, so some have some healthy skepticism about the latest update to be announced.

Leaked Xbox/Steam integration

Xbox app Steam integration — Recent leaks suggest a potential overhaul to Xbox app on PC that includes further integration with your Steam library. (Image credit: Microsoft (via The Verge))

Microsoft has been hard at work to improve the Xbox app on Windows 11 and the gaming experience on PCs with smaller screens. We've previously seen the Xbox Game Bar's Compact Mode and an on-screen keyboard that's easier to use with a gamepad.

Now, it appears Microsoft may be working on a Steam filter for the Xbox app game library. The feature appeared briefly on a Microsoft blog post, but it has since been removed.

Considering the graphic showing the feature was taken down, there aren't many details about the potential Steam filter. It could suggest an overhaul of the library section of the Xbox app on PC or it could just be some wishful thinking.

HP announces dozens of PCs

An HP 2-in-1, All-in-One, mini PC, and laptop on a pink and peach colored background. — HP announced several PCs during its Amplify conference this past week. (Image credit: Windows Central / HP)

A whopping 25 PCs were announced by HP this week during the company's Amplify conference. Among those devices are laptops, All-in-One desktops, mini PCs, and gaming laptops.

I won't run through each device here because our Rebecca Spear already did that for you! Her roundup of the best of HP's Amplify conference goes over the EliteStudio 8 AiO G1i, the OmniBook 7 Aero 13, and all the other devices on the way from HP.

The EliteStudio 8 AiO G1i may be the most exciting device from the event, but that really comes down to taste and how you use your PC. Our Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino got an early hands-on with the EliteStudio 8 AiO G1i and says he wishes he had the PC in college.

Windows Central Podcast

YouTube

Watch On

Our Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden go in-depth on the latest topics in tech each week during the Windows Central Podcast. In addition to covering the latest news, they share industry insights, insider information, and first-hand experience with the latest gadgets.

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Pocket Casts
Subscribe via RSS

Reviews

MSI Claw 8 AI+ propped up next to an ROG Ally X on a table. — The MSI Claw 8 AI+ (left) next to the ASUS ROG Ally X. (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)

Our experts take a closer look at the latest devices, PCs, accessories, and games each week. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld earned the highest score this past week, receiving a 4.5 out of 5 for its performance, screen, Hall Effect joysticks, and speakers.

Deals of the Week

We love tech, but we don't like paying full price for it. The following deals will help you save on games, consoles, accessories, and more!

ASUS ROG G22CH
Was: $1,499.99
Now: $1,099.99 at Newegg

"ASUS ROG provides the accessible gaming excellence it promises with this compact tower that can easily fit on your desk or media center. It's packed with a powerful RTX-4070 GPU and an Intel Core i9-13900KF to provide smooth gaming experiences. The fans tend to be loud, but they keep the system cool and working efficiently. Plus, you can customize this rig's RGB lighting for a fun vibe."

Windows Central review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: Anyone who wants a pre-built gaming PC that doesn't take up a lot of space despite having desktop-class hardware inside.

❌Avoid if: If you hate fan noise (the PC's fans run a lot due to the compact size), you want a desktop that's easy to upgrade, or you want something more powerful than a 4060 Ti.

CPU: Intel Core i7-14700F. GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti (8GB). RAM: 16GB DDR5. SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe. Ports: 1x Ethernet, 1x HDMI 2.0a, 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 3x audio jack, 2x USB-A 2.0, 4x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-C 3.2. Size: 4.5 (W) x 12.7 (H) x 11.3 (D) inches (11.50 x 32.30 x 28.69 cm). Release date: 2024.

👉 See at: Newegg.com

👀 Price check: $1,675.97 at Amazon (Core i7/RTX 4070)

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma Controller
Was: $149.99
Now: $84.99 at Walmart.com

"An excellent controller with arguably superior sticks and buttons than the official Xbox controller itself. The extra features sweeten the deal, with a sensitivity clutch aspect that feels almost too good to be true." — Jez Corden, Managing Editor

Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: Xbox and PC gamers searching for a wired controller with pinpoint accurate controls, comfy ergonomics for long hours of gaming, and customization options to remap the controllers to a user's preferences.

❌Avoid if: You want a wireless controller. The Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is wired-only and needs to be plugged in order to function.

👉See at: Walmart.com

Return period: 90 days (Walmart) / 30-days (Marketplace). Price match? Yes (Only in-store, only for Walmart online pricing). Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: Walmart Plus w/ free shipping & deliveries, exclusive deals & deal early access, & more.

🤩Alternative deal: $86.00 at Amazon.com

"Packed with a budget-grade Snapdragon X processor but still boasting a gorgeous OLED touchscreen and stylus support, ASUS throws in a keyboard case for no extra charge, and the experience is similar [to the Surface Pro 11]." — Ben Wilson

Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: Creators who value a color-accurate OLED display or those who want a convertible 2-in-1 PC that comes with its keyboard.

❌Avoid if: You need a more powerful PC or want a slimmer convertible.

Display: 13.3-inch, 16:10, OLED, 3K. CPU: Snapdragon X Plus. GPU: Qualcomm Adreno. RAM: 16GB. Storage: 1TB SSD. AI PC: Yes. Copilot+ PC: Yes.

👉See at: Best Buy

Verizon 5G Home Plus
Now: from $55 / month
Bundled with free: 43-inch 4K Samsung TV OR Meta Quest 3S

✅Perfect for: Those who want high-speed internet from a well-known provider and a free 4K Samsung TV or Meta Quest 3S.

❌Avoid if: Verizon does not have 5G Home Plus in your area.

Download speed: Up to 1,000 Mbps. Upload speed: Up to 75 Mbps. Data caps: No.

👉See at: Verizon

Price lock: 3-year price guarantee. Guarantee: 30-day money back guarantee. Discount for Verizon Mobile customers: Yes. Offer valid through: April 30, 2025.

"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth delivers all the charm of Remake while making the needed improvements to side-content to ensure the original's step-out moment is worth taking once more." — Iain Harris, senior deputy news editor at GamesRadar+

GamesRadar+ review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

✅Perfect for: Anyone that wants to save money on a massive JRPG that continues the story from Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

❌Avoid if: You aren't interested in huge role-playing games.

Launch date: Jan. 23, 2025

👉See at: CDKeys

Return period: 7 days (For unredeemed codes). Price match? No. Free shipping: Always. Membership: Free CDKeys account w/ purchase history, exclusive deals, & community features.

💰Price check: $48.99 at GreenManGaming (Steam)

🤩Alternative deal: $40.79 for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at CDKeys (Steam)

"The short version of this review is that the new Surface Pro 11 and Flex Keyboard are an outstanding combination that dramatically improves the Surface Pro line—only the original Surface Pro and Surface Pro 4 rival it in terms of impact." — Daniel Rubino, Editor-in-chief

Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: People who want the best Surface Pro experience, including having the option to use a keyboard when attached or detached.

❌Avoid if: You already have a Surface Pro keyboard you are happy with or if you are on a budget.

Battery: Up to 41 hours. Trackpad: Surface precision haptic touchpad. Backlit keys: ✅ Compatibility: Surface Pro 11, Surface Pro 10, Surface Pro 9, Surface Pro 8. Launch date: 2024

👉See at: Best Buy

Return period: 15 days. Price match? Yes (Also applies within return period). Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: My Best Buy w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, 60-day return period, & expanded support.

💰Price check: $286.18 at Newegg

"Avowed takes us back to the world of Eora from Pillars of Eternity, and The Living Lands is the most eccentric, colorful, and wild adventure yet. Obsidian Entertainment has done a wonderful job capturing the 'magic' of RPGs like Skyrim that makes exploring every crevice fun, and immersing yourself in this world is stupendously easy." —Zachary Boddy

Windows Central Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: You like the sound of a focused RPG experience with creative and engaging combat, strong writing, and stylized visuals

❌Don't buy if: You're after an open-world type of RPG with a huge map and 100+ hours of content to play through, or you want a dark type of fantasy setting

👀See at: CDKeys

💰Price check: $69.99 at Steam

🤔Alternative deal: $31.59 for 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership

🤩Premium Edition: $77.19 at CDKeys

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.