Out of the darkness shines a sparkly new Surface, at least potentially. Microsoft and NVIDIA hinted at a massive hardware announcement that promises to usher in "a new era of PC."

Just over a week after a massively disappointing Surface launch, it appears Microsoft has an ace up its sleeve.

Microsoft and NVIDIA's teases, plus some leaked information, strongly suggest that the N1X chip will be at the center of Computex and Microsoft Build. If rumors prove accurate, that chip will be a "20‑core Arm + RTX GPU monster."

The possibility of a new NVIDIA chip and a new Surface device took over our front page to end the week, but they're far from the only big news. A genuinely helpful Windows 11 update started rolling out recently and Intel has a new chip of its own.

Biggest Windows 11 News

Microsoft and NVIDIA spark N1X speculation with “new era of PC” teaser

Microsoft and NVIDIA just teased a massive hardware announcement. Will the rumored N1X chip usher in the "new era of PC" promised by both companies?

Windows 11 optional update packs genuine performance gains

Windows 11 update KB5089573 is now generally available as Microsoft's non-security preview update for May, and is packing genuinely notable performance improvements.

HP is aware of a faulty BIOS update that's trapping PCs in a loop

HP confirms its BIOS update is breaking Windows 11 PCs, trapping users in recovery loops and blocking Secure Boot fixes.

You don’t need a new Surface to feel Windows 11 haptics

Microsoft has updated the Surface Slim Pen 2 with support for Windows 11’s new system‑level haptics. The change lets older (and more affordable) Surface devices use the same tactile feedback that ships with the latest Surface hardware.

Intel unveils new Arc G-Series chips designed specifically for gaming handhelds

Intel has unveiled its new Arc G-Series CPUs, and they're designed specifically for gaming handhelds.

I've been a vocal critic of Microsoft's handling of the Surface brand, arguing that Microsoft is rebuilding Windows and XBOX while Surface collects dust. I still think Surface has been stagnant for too long, but an N1X-powered device would go a long way.

Surface played a big part in pushing ARM64 computing forward by swapping all consumer models to Snapdragon X processors. Having PCs with an N1X chip could do a similar thing for NVIDIA's offering.

Over time, ARM-based chips could power gaming laptops, gaming handhelds, and other devices. Having NVIDIA and Microsoft lockstep would be a massive win for Windows 11 and Surface.

Shopping with Sean

I wish I had a new laptop powered by an N1X to recommend, but it seems we will have to wait a bit for that to happen. In the meantime, I recommend a laptop powered by a different ARM64 processor, the Lenovo Slim 7x. It has excellent battery life, a sleek design, and is powered by the Snapdragon X2 Elite.

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Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.