Best of Hardware — November 2025

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   David Heinemeier Hansson·26w

   Local LLMs are how nerds now justify a big computer they don't need

   Local LLMs, while technically impressive, still lag significantly behind cloud-based frontier models for practical development work. Despite the hype around running AI models locally, most developers don't actually need expensive high-RAM machines. Budget mini PCs costing around $500 can handle typical development tasks just as well as premium $2,000+ workstations, especially when running Linux. This is fortunate timing given the current spike in RAM prices driven by AI's resource demands.

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   Hacker News·27w

   Why I Don't Need a Steam Machine

   A humorous personal reflection on Valve's newly announced Steam Machine console. The author lists 22 reasons why they don't need the device—from being a retro gamer who doesn't need the power, to already having too many gaming devices, to preferring physical games over digital—only to conclude they're buying one anyway despite all the rational arguments against it.

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   Article

   The Verge·28w

   Sandisk’s new 1TB USB-C SSD is so small you never need to take it out

   Sandisk launched the Extreme Fit, claiming it's the world's smallest 1TB USB-C flash drive. The L-shaped device is designed to stay plugged into laptops permanently, protruding vertically rather than horizontally to remain flush with the device. It offers capacities from 64GB to 1TB with transfer speeds up to 400MB/s using USB 3.2 Gen 1. Pricing ranges from $15.99 for 64GB to $117.99 for the 1TB model, now available in the US and other markets.

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   Article

   GamesIndustry.biz·27w

   The Steam Machine could be an industry turning point | Opinion

   Valve's upcoming Steam Machine represents a strategic challenge to both Microsoft and Sony in the console market, leveraging a decade of development on Steam Deck and SteamOS. The device combines competitive pricing with access to extensive Steam libraries and a Linux-based OS that outperforms Windows in gaming benchmarks through lower overhead and the Proton emulation layer. This timing particularly impacts Microsoft's pivot toward Xbox-Windows integration, as Valve's approach offers similar PC-console hybrid functionality at mass-market prices. The Steam Deck served as a crucial testbed, proving that optimized software can deliver strong gaming performance on modest hardware specs.

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   Article

   Phoronix·28w

   Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Linux CPU Performance Review

   Comprehensive benchmark results for Intel's Core Ultra 7 255H processor (Arrow Lake H) running on Ubuntu Linux. The 16-core mobile processor features 6 P-cores, 8 E-cores, and 2 LPE cores with a maximum turbo frequency of 5.1GHz. Testing was conducted on a Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 8 in both default and performance modes, comparing performance against 25+ other Intel and AMD mobile processors across multiple generations. The processor supports up to 128GB DDR5-6400 memory and includes Intel Arc 140T graphics.

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   Phoronix·28w

   Linux Proposal Aims To Overcome Kernel Limitation Affecting Various Gaming Peripherals

   Red Hat engineer proposes a patch to enable Linux kernel's HID subsystem to support multiple batteries per device, addressing current limitations affecting gaming headsets, graphics tablets, wireless earbuds, and multi-device receivers. The architectural change would eliminate the need for proprietary protocols and vendor-specific software while maintaining backwards compatibility with existing single-battery implementations.

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   All Things Open·26w

   How Linux Mint saved an eight-year-old PC

   A personal account of reviving an eight-year-old Dell laptop running unsupported Windows 10 by installing Linux Mint Cinnamon 22.2. The process involved securely wiping the encrypted drive using the shred command, performing a clean installation, and demonstrating how Linux can extend hardware lifespan while providing modern security updates. The story emphasizes Linux Mint's user-friendly interface and its viability for breathing new life into aging computers that can no longer run current Windows versions.

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   TechLinked·28w

   What Did They Do to My Boy…

   Windows 11 receives a redesigned start menu with improved customization options. AMD Ryzen 7 9700X3D benchmarks turn out to be fabricated by Reddit users. Disney channels go dark on YouTube TV amid contract disputes. SanDisk plans to increase flash memory prices by up to 50% due to AI-driven demand. Lawyers document over 500 cases of AI misuse in court filings, including fabricated citations from ChatGPT. UK investigates potential remote shutdown capabilities in Chinese-made electric buses.

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   Collections·29w

   Apple to Launch Budget MacBook with iPhone Chip in Early 2026

   Apple plans to release a budget MacBook under $1,000 in early 2026, featuring an iPhone A-series chip instead of traditional Mac processors. Internal testing shows the smartphone chip outperforms the M1 processor. The device will have a sub-13.6-inch LCD display and targets students, casual users, and businesses as a competitor to Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs. Apple will also launch M5-powered MacBook Air and Pro models around the same timeframe.

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    Video

    Theo - t3․gg·25w

    NVIDIA's first real competition (Google is KILLING it)

    Google announced its seventh-generation TPU (Ironwood), claiming 10x performance improvements over previous versions and positioning itself as a serious competitor to Nvidia in AI accelerator hardware. Meta is reportedly in talks with Google for a multi-billion dollar chip deal starting in 2027, causing Nvidia's stock to drop 4% and wiping $112 billion off its market cap. Google is the only major tech company operating across all AI layers: applications (Google Search), foundation models (Gemini), cloud inference (GCP), and custom accelerator hardware (TPUs). The move represents a strategic shift as companies seek alternatives to Nvidia's dominant position and pricing in the GPU market, with Google leveraging its vertical integration and custom silicon expertise to challenge the status quo.

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    Article

    Hacker News·28w

    Valve is about to win the console generation

    Valve announced three new gaming products: the Steam Controller, Steam Machine (a console with PS5-level specs running SteamOS/Arch Linux), and Steam Frame (a standalone VR headset with ARM CPU). The Steam Machine stands out for its openness—users can install any OS, marketplace, or development tools, making every unit both a gaming console and a potential game development machine. The Steam Frame uses foveated rendering and runs full SteamOS with Android app support. Success depends heavily on pricing, but the hardware specs and software flexibility position Valve competitively against traditional console manufacturers.

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