Windows Weekly 1004

Microsoft and NVIDIA's RTX Spark laptops are official, with preorders open and shipping October 16. Prices run from $2,599 (24GB) to $5,899 (128GB, already sold out on Surface). Paul and Leo cover who needs that much RAM, what "hybrid intelligence" means, and why Paul's new Googlebook disappointed him.

Windows

• RTX Spark laptops: from $2,599 (24GB), $3,700 (32GB), $5,899 (128GB). Ships Oct 16
• Partners: Microsoft, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI. Paul reviews the HP OmniBook Ultra 16 first
• Surface RTX Spark Dev Box: $6,000+
• "Hybrid intelligence": local AI first, cloud when needed
• Windows Search gets inline AI actions in Insider builds
• Cloud Rebuild adds better remove and sanitize options
• Windows app adds Remote PC connections (preview)
• Intel Wildcat Lake: Paul's test laptop was slow even with 16GB
• Googlebook first look: Lenovo Googlebook 15 (~$1,100) is missing basics an iPad has
• Microsoft has tried to kill Windows many times, including the leaked Project Aion

AI/Dev

• Microsoft AI ships new voice and transcription models
• Gemini 4 Argon is announced, but limited to cybersecurity partners
• Google Docs and Drive add native Markdown
• C# Dev Kit 11 arrives with .NET 11

Xbox and Gaming

• Rockstar corrects reports of exclusive Xbox GTA VI streaming. Launch is Nov 19
• Xbox Elite Series 3 controller leaks again, with a built-in screen
• October Game Pass: Battlefield 6 and more
• Sony brings QSSR AI upscaling to the standard PS5
• Google Playground lets you vibe-code games

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Desktop98.com, a Windows 98 simulator in your browser
• App pick: Gears of War: E-Day (Game Pass Ultimate and PC)
• Brown liquor pick: 1792 Small Batch bourbon

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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

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• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 1004 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra to Start at $2599
• New Windows 11 Insider Builds Are Out With Cloud Rebuild Improvements and More
• Remote PC connections in Windows App on Windows is now generally available
• HP Announces Wildcat Lake Laptops for Consumers and Businesses
• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Review ⭐
• Lenovo Googlebook 15 First Impressions
• Lenovo Googlebook 15: Software First Impressions
• Switcher 2026: Googlebook Regressions Make This Platform a Non-Starter
• Google Acknowledges Some Android Apps Don’t Run Well on Intel-Based Googlebooks
• Tech Nostalgia: Here We Go Again
• Microsoft AI Releases Impressive Transcription and Voice Models
• Google Makes New Gemini 4 Argon Available for Cybersecurity Experts
• Google Brings Native Markdown Support to Docs and Drive
• C# Dev Kit 11 to Arrive with .NET 11
• Microsoft Reportedly Obtained Cloud Streaming Rights for GTA VI on Xbox Consoles
• Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller Leaks Again
• Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Battlefield 6, Valor Mortis, Forever Ago, and More
• Sony is Bringing New AI Upscaling Technology to the Base PlayStation 5
• Introducing Playground: Create and play custom games
• Tech Nostalgia: You Can Simulate Windows 98 in a Web Browser
• Gears of War: E-Day Launches Today on Xbox, PC, and Game Pass
• Gears of War: E-Day Hands-On Impressions: The Chainsaw is Sharper Than Ever
• 1792 Bourbon