MakeUseOf's Computex 2026 picks: the tech we can't stop thinking about

All eyes are on Taiwan this week as the world's leading PC hardware show, Computex 2026, rolls into town. And let me say: this one has been a banger, packed with new announcements from the biggest names in tech, with some genuine game-changing releases.

Intel Arc G3

Intel delivers real competition to AMD

Intel's biggest announcement at Computex 2026 was its long-awaited Arc G3 series processors specifically designed for gaming handhelds. As one of the fastest growing forms of portable tech (well, any tech, really), we've been waiting a while for Intel to develop a specific chip rather than co-opt its laptop CPUs — and finally take a really stab at dethroning AMD from its handheld throne.

The Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme do exactly that, using Intel's new Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake, though the Arc G3 and G3 Exterme are considered derivatives) architecture, featuring up to 14 cores clocked up to 4.6GHz, along with an integrated NPU for AI features and support for up to 96GB RAM (IN THIS MARKET?!).

We're also expecting big things from the Arc G3 in terms of power draw. Both processors are rated for 25W base with 80W maximum draw, with Intel listing both processors as starting from 8W. Those power ratings should make Intel's new processors extremely competitive.

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+

One of the first Arc G3-powered handhelds

Intel's Arc G3 processors sound great, right? Well, this time around, you don't have to wait long to start actually playing on them, as the upgraded MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ becomes one of the first handhelds to put them to use.

This is the direct successor to the already feature-filled Claw 8 AI+ launched in 2025, and it's a big upgrade. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ comes equipped with a 120Hz variable refresh rate 8-inch IPS-level touchscreen at 1920×1200, with 100% sRGB and up to 500 nits brightness.

Obviously, the biggest upgrade is the Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor, which is a huge step-up from the existing Intel Core Ultra 7 processor in the previous version. The new chip should also bring better thermal and power efficiency, keeping you gaming for longer.

The only downside is that the Claw 8 EX AI+ looks like an enormous jump in price, too. The Claw 8 AI+ launched in 2025 at around 800 bucks — the Claw 8 EX AI+ looks set to cost at least $1,700 according to the Best Buy listing for the 32GB/1TB model.

Dell XPS 13 (2026)

MacBook Neo who?

Back in April, Apple launched the MacBook Neo, a budge-focused MacBook with middling benchmarks that really showed which other MacBooks delivered actual value.

Now, a couple of months down the line, and Dell is fighting back with the latest XPS 13, and its $700 base-level configuration price tag has the Neo firmly in its sights. It packs a 4.6Ghz six-core Intel Core 5 320 (Wildcat Lake) processor with 8GB RAM and 512GB storage, but there are more powerful models also available.

The new XPS 13 is also fantastically slimline, measuring just just 0.5-inches (12.7mm) thick and weighing just 2.2lbs (1kg), making ultra-portable; you certainly won't notice it in your backpack. Dell also opted for a 13.4-inch 2.5K (2560×1600) InfinityEdge touchscreen, which looks sublime and puts it on par with other smaller form-factor laptops like ASUS' Zenbook A14 and S14 series.

One concern I have is the somewhat weedy sounding 52Wh battery. Dell suggests the new XPS 13 can clock up to 17 hours of Netflix playback, but that seems a stretch to me.

Nvidia RTX Spark (N1X)

Windows on Arm is about to get wild

Nvidia revealed its new superchip at Computex 2026, a lightweight "superchip" designed to shake up Windows PC design, and particularly the Windows on Arm market.

Qualcomm's Windows on Arm machines have been growing in power — the phenomenal Asus Zenbook A16 is testament to that — but for the most part, Arm-powered devices lend themselves to thin, lightweight, and power efficient devices.

RTX Spark is set to change all of that with a custom MediaTek-designed 20-core chip that merges a Blackwell GPU and a Grace ARM CPU into one mind-melting unit. The combination delivers an outrageous one petaflop of processing power, has 6,144 CUDA cores, 5th-Gen Tensor Cores, and up to 128GB unified memory.

We haven't had the chance to benchmark RTX Spark yet, but those specs make for extremely interesting reading, and from what I understand, it's truly a performance powerhouse. But with that said, some folks aren't so sure Nvidia's RTX Spark laptops are destined for greatness...

Surface Laptop Ultra

Microsoft is pushing the power levels

Microsoft has finally revealed the Surface Laptop Ultra, and its absolutely packed with hardware designed to push its laptop platform towards creators, and Apple's core market. And bringing the power? The Nvidia RTX Spark we just talked about.

Microsoft's official blog didn't reveal too much about the Surface Laptop Ultra's final specs, but it'll be working towards the same 20-cores, 6,144 CUDA cores, 5th-Gen Tensor Cores, and up to 128GB unified memory.

I'm keen to check out the screen on the Surface Laptop Ultra. It's a 15-inch mini-LED PixelSense Ultra touchscreen display with up to 2,000 nit peak HDR brightness. Microsoft claims it's "the brightest display we’ve ever shipped," and I'm totally down with that.

As yet, Microsoft hasn't given us any idea on pricing; I expect that'll land closer to its scheduled Fall release.

Acer Predator Atlas 8

Acer is cooking up something tasty

It's great to see Intel's Arc G3 processors getting immediate use, and the Acer Predator Atlas 8 is shaping up to be a beast. It actually uses the more powerful Arc G3 Extreme, which means it comes equipped with Intel Arc B370 graphics, 24GB LPDDR5X and 1TB NVMe M.2 storage, plus that processor with 14 cores.

The Acer Predator Atlas 8 also features a 8-inch WUXGA 1920x1200 pixel resolution screen that looks to be absolutely top-notch, and I'm also super keen to try out the 80Wh battery. As with all Intel Arc G3 handhelds, we're still waiting to really figure out what good battery life looks like, but given how well Intel's Ultra Core Series 3 chips perform, I'm expecting good things, especially with dual-fan cooling to keep temperatures at a decent level.

Like most new PC hardware revealed at Computex 2026, we don't know how much the Acer Predator Atlas 8 will cost yet, but I'd expect north of $1.2K, if not more.

MSI MPG OLED 322URDX36

More modes than you can shake a game stick at

MSI brought a swathe of new monitor tech to Computex 2026, and none was more exciting than the MPG OLED 322URDX36. This is a world's first "Triple Mode" gaming monitor... but what does that actually mean?

Well, the 31.5-inch 4K MPG OLED 322URDX36 features three different native operating modes, allowing you to switch when the moment suits.

• 4K@360Hz
• 1440p@520Hz
• 1080p@680Hz

The idea is straightforward: switch to 4K for graphically impressive games, 1440p for everyday desktop use, and 1080p for competitive titles where every frame counts. Whether the 1440p mode is a true native mode or interpolated from the panel's hardware dual-mode is something we'll have to figure out when we can finally review this panel, but it's shaping up nicely.

The panel itself is a Samsung's 5th-gen QD-OLED with Penta Tandem technology. It comes equipped with a new QuantumBlack film, which is claimed to improve black levels by up to 40 percent. MSI calls this "DarkArmor," as it also increase the screen scratch protection by around 2.5 times.

ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20

I want the shiny

I've long been a fan of Asus ROG Azoth mechanical keyboards. I reviewed the ROG Azoth back in 2024, and despite some software issues, it was a great keyboard with excellent build quality. More recently, I took the ROG Falcata for a spin, and that's a serious bit of typing kit, if a little expensive.

So you can see why my eyes were drawn by the ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20, a celebratory mechanical keyboard marking 20 years of the ROG brand. It's a 75-percent wireless gaming mechanical board imbued with a 24K gold-plated commemorative nameplate, along with a wonderful gold-on-black colourway throughout. Oh, and that 24K gold is real, by the way.

It's not just looks, mind. The Azoth Extreme Edition 20 comes with ROG SpeedNova wireless tech to deliver up to 8K polling, and Asus rates it for a whopping 1,600 hours of battery life in 2.4GHz mode. You'll get fewer hours in Bluetooth mode, but really, 2.4GHz is the way to go. It also sports the Azoth's now traditional OLED screen, extensive software customization options, and hot-swappable switches.

Brace yourself, though: it'll set you back a sizable $600 at Best Buy.

All eyes turn to IFA 2026 now

Whew — with Computex 2026 wrapping up in Taipei, you might wonder where your next big hit of tech hardware launches will come from. Well, the answer to that is IFA 2026 in Berlin, which is typically billed as the biggest tech show in the world (yes, bigger than CES, MWC, and Computex). Who knows what we'll uncover? Stay tuned.