Paul Thurrott gets hands-on with NVIDIA's new RTX Spark AI PCs and reveals why all that power isn't translating into practical results for certain users. Expect strong opinions and a few surprises about the state of local AI on computers. Plus, Tolaria is a free, open source, vibe-coded replacement for Notion that's based on Markdown files. And now it's on mobile too! Llama Windows is also free/open source and natively supports Windows 11 on Arm and RTX Spark. It may be the easiest way to interact with local AI on Windows.
Windows
Microsoft discusses second round of pain points updates for Windows 11, starting with a new Photos app plus the ability to work well with just 8 GB of RAM
Six (!) new builds, including two to the Release Preview Channel
Microsoft Edge is working towards no-reboot updates
Opera Air gets a nice refresh
The Proton roadmap is spectacular
RTX Spark: HP OmniBook Ultra 16
RTX Spark: Lenovo Pro 9n 15
RTX Spark: ASUS ProArt P16 arrives with 128 GB of RAM
Microsoft 365
OneDrive is getting a Copilot-infused upgrade for files and photos in the AI era
AI/dev
RTX Spark hands-on: Local AI is more frustrating than useful
Microsoft is working on a comprehensive strategy to secure AI agents
OpenAI releases an AI coding model for Visual Basic, other older programming languages
XBOX and gaming
Report: Project Helix starts with a gaming handheld in 2027, not a console, with a new console in 2028
Microsoft reveals standalone Cloud Gaming costs - 10 hours for $3.99, 25 for $7.99, 50 for $11.99
ASUS ROG XBOX Ally X20 is here for $1300 and up
ASUS ROG XBOX Ally X20 is here for $1300 and up
AMD is bringing FSR Upscaling 4.1 to XBOX consoles, ROG XBOX Ally
Final Fantasy VII Remake is the star of the late October Game Pass releases
NVIDIA touts games already optimized for RTX Spark
XBOX highlights new indie titles coming to PC, console, and Game Pass over the next year
EA is shutting down BioWare
Tips and picks
App pick of the week: Tolaria
App pick of the week #2: Llama Windows
RunAs Radio this week: OWASP Top 10 for Agentic Applications with Will Velida
Brown liquor pick of the week: Ardnahoe Inaugural Release 5 Year Old
Hosts: Paul Thurrott, Richard Campbell, and Mikah Sargent
Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly
Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com
The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.
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