Ben Wilson
Ben is the editor for everything in our tech channel at Windows Central, including desktop PCs, the components inside, and practically any accessory. Since most of this hardware tends to be compatible with Xbox, he also keeps an Xbox Series S close by for testing headsets, external storage, and anything with enough versatility to cover all the bases. A lifelong gamer since his first console, the SEGA Mega Drive, he has an affinity for taking things to pieces to see how they work.
Pursuing a recent career in technology journalism follows over a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support roles, offering repairs and recommendations to consumers. A personal hobby in custom PC building built a strong desire to follow the latest cutting-edge hardware in a never-ending search to find the parts genuinely worth buying. Always on the hunt for the best value for money, he's fueled by a steady diet of caffeinated drinks and coffee-flavored food.
Forever a Windows XP fan, he's keeping up with the latest releases from Microsoft but dabbles in Linux to experiment with the inner workings of Valve's Steam Deck handheld. He'll look out for your best interests if you're considering tinkering with hardware upgrades and want the best bang for your buck. Find him on BlueSky @benwilson.net to ask questions or share opinions.
Latest articles by Ben Wilson
ASUS' ProArt PZ13 is the first Copilot+ PC to challenge the Surface Pro 11, but some of these cost-saving component choices won't threaten Microsoft's 2-in-1 dominance
By Ben Wilson published
Review ASUS' new Snapdragon X Plus-powered 2-in-1 is a cost-saving OLED Surface Pro 11 variant for artists packing a free kickstand keyboard case.
Best pre-built gaming PCs for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
By Ben Wilson, Cale Hunt last updated
Updated Skip the PC build process and take to the skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator with my picks of pre-built desktops that my team has tested and reviewed.
Adobe delivers a Windows UI performance bump alongside simplified color correction and a divisive AI audio tool in its latest beta
By Rebecca Spear, Ben Wilson published
Adobe on Windows During IBC 2024, Adobe announced several impressive updates for its Premiere Pro and After Effects programs.
Acer's Predator BiFrost Radeon RX 7600 OC was its first AMD GPU and still challenges Intel for 1080p gaming
By Ben Wilson published
Review Acer's Predator BiFrost Radeon RX 7600 OC offers excellent performance for 1080p gaming, but 8GB of VRAM will limit its lifespan.
Celebrating 29 years of Windows 95 — How Microsoft's operating system evolved since the iconic Start menu was introduced
By Ben Wilson published
Win95 is 29 Join me in reminiscing how Windows 95 introduced the iconic Start menu and taskbar, which had a lasting impact on modern computing and remain a core part of Windows 11.
Our favorite Start menu replacement finally supports Windows 11 on ARM and runs on my Surface Pro, fixing Microsoft's failures
By Ben Wilson published
A better Start Stardock developers have unveiled Start11 v2, designed to replace the stock Start menu on Windows 11. Finally, it now offers native support for ARM64 for Windows on Arm devices.
My top 13 back-to-school tech deals compile affordable laptops and accessories to make your academic life easier than ever
By Ben Wilson published
Back to school Get ready to head back to school with my top picks of the best tech deals in categorized lists with quick links, and keep coming back for updated discounts!
Windows 11 runs better than ever on a Steam Deck OLED, but it still doesn't matter
By Ben Wilson published
WinDeck update Valve has released new Windows 11 drivers for its Steam Deck OLED variant to improve OS performance if you're one of the few running a WinDeck.
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X review: Team Red built the world's most powerful CPU and sent Intel back to school
By Ben Wilson published
Review The Ryzen 9 9950X is all-powerful if you can keep it cool, while the 9900X is cheaper and competes with Intel's Core i9-14900K. Whichever is right for you depends entirely on your software suite.
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X review: While Intel suffers setbacks, Team Red takes the mid-range gaming CPU crown
By Ben Wilson published
Review AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X desktop CPU offers improved performance at a lower price and power draw compared to previous chips and rivals at Intel, making it a solid mid-range option.
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X review: Cheaper and more efficient than ever, Zen 5 tempts with an entry-level gaming CPU
By Ben Wilson published
Review AMD's Ryzen 5 9600X offers affordable gaming, excelling in single-core performance and power efficiency. However, minimal multi-core bumps won't benefit users with recent CPUs.
Intel officially confirms 'Lunar Lake' mobile CPU launch date with Core Ultra 200 to challenge Snapdragon X and Ryzen AI 300
By Ben Wilson published
Lunar Lake Intel's latest Core Ultra 'Lunar Lake' mobile processors will launch in early September, just before IFA 2024, and promise a revolution for x86-64 Windows laptops.
AMD delays its Ryzen 9000 desktop processors, but it's for a more trivial reason than Intel's ongoing 13th/14th Gen disaster
By Ben Wilson published
Ryzen 9000 An unfortunate "short delay" hits AMD's upcoming Ryzen 9000 Series desktop processors, but it could be a lot worse as its Intel rivals suffer ongoing backlash with their own processor problems.
ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) review: AMD's new AI CPU challenges Snapdragon X and stomps Intel Meteor Lake
By Ben Wilson published
Review An all-day battery and slick chassis design from ASUS are more appealing than AMD's Strix Point processor boasting AI metrics.
Razer Blade 18 (2024) review: Still the world's most powerful gaming laptop — and your wallet is terrified
By Ben Wilson last updated
Review Razer refreshes its phenomenal Blade 18 gaming desktop, still marketed as a desktop replacement due to its sheer power and all-encompassing size. It's a beast.
Microsoft tackles catastrophic global IT outage as 'CrowdStrike' security blames update bug for grounded flights and more
By Ben Wilson last updated
Mass outages The dreaded 'Blue Screen of Death' error hits Microsoft-powered devices across the globe's infrastructure.
Prime Day 2024: The 10 best deals still live on Xbox, Game Pass, Razer, and Lenovo as Amazon's sale 'ends'
By Ben Wilson last updated
Prime Day 2024 Amazon Prime Day 2024 is here, and we're seeing some of the best tech deals ever put forward during a Prime Day event. It lasts for two days, but it ends soon!
This fan-made Quake level is bigger than the original FPS' chapters, with brutal difficulty that makes Dark Souls look like Peppa Pig
By Ben Wilson published
Quake lives The Immortal Lock is a gigantic custom level filled with cosmic horrors and punishing difficulty as the puzzles and combat are ramped up to eleven.
I buy these same 6 PC building accessories every year, and so should you before the Prime Day deals all disappear
By Ben Wilson published
Deals-IY I enjoy building computers. Honest. It's definitely easier with the right tools and accessories, though. Here's what I buy to help.
14 money-saving PC parts to help upgrade your rig before Prime Day ends tonight
By Ben Wilson last updated
PC upgrades Brand-new gaming desktops are always tempting, but upgrading your current rig is almost always the best way to go. Here's what I'd buy during Prime Day 2024's deal mania.
My favorite sim racing wheel sped past Prime Day with a winning deal — but Amazon STILL offers a silver discount
By Ben Wilson published
Sim deal Thrustmaster's T248 is still the best overall steering wheel you can buy for arcade racing and serious simulators, now discounted during the second half of Prime Day and Amazon's rival.
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.
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