Trump Tariffs to Hike PC Costs at Least 20%, System Integrators Take the Biggest Blow

While semiconductors are exempt (for now at least) from Trump's tariffs, other components going into our PCs are not. According to Tom's Hardware, which spoke to multiple system integrators, tariffs are about to hike PC costs by at least 20%, with system integrators hurt the most. The tariff package imposes a 54% rate on Chinese goods, 34% on top of earlier tariffs, and significant duties on Taiwan, South Korea, and Vietnam products. These countries supply essential PC components such as SSDs, RAM, cases, and graphics cards. Wallace Santos, CEO of Maingear, highlighted the immediate effects on production: "Tariffs have a direct impact on our cost structure… which we have to pass down to our customers." He further explained that some suppliers have halted production in China, leading to scarcity and escalating costs. Santos estimates that prices for his PCs will rise "20 to 25% as a result of the tariffs."

Other company leaders express concern over the limited alternatives available. Kelt Reeves, CEO of Falcon Northwest, stated, "Sadly the overwhelming majority of PC component manufacturing is not done in the US and never has been. There's no US alternative supplier for most PC parts." Reeves added that even US-based system integrators are "facing skyrocketing costs" due to the tariffs, which are set to worsen an already challenging market situation caused by ongoing GPU shortages. Jon Bach, CEO of Puget Systems, shared his perspective in a recent blog post, noting that his company might absorb some costs to minimize consumer price increases. However, even before the latest tariff updates, Bach predicted a price rise of "20 to 45 percent by June." Critics of the tariffs warn of broader economic issues. Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, condemned the policy as "massive tax hikes on Americans that will drive inflation, kill jobs on Main Street, and may cause a recession for the US economy." With these tariffs taking effect, the PC industry faces a period of adjustment marked by increased costs and significant supply chain challenges.


https://www.techpowerup.com/335054/trump...ggest-blow

(PR) Other World Computing (OWC) Launches OWC SoftRAID 8.5 for macOS and Windows

Other World Computing (OWC), a trusted leader in high-performance storage, memory, connectivity, software, and accessories that empower creative and business professionals to maximize performance, enhance reliability, and streamline workflows, today announced the release of OWC SoftRAID 8.5, the latest update to its powerful RAID management software for macOS and Windows. Packed with dozens of enhancements, OWC SoftRAID 8.5 delivers dramatic increases in reliability, functionality, and performance - ensuring next-level data protection, functionality, and system stability for everyone from video editors to IT administrators, novices to power users.

The new OWC SoftRAID 8.5 driver, included with Apple's macOS 15.4 update, introduces significant improvements for RAID 4/5 volumes, particularly when dealing with failing HDDs and SSDs. The driver now proactively marks a disk as failed upon detecting the first read or write error, ensuring uninterrupted performance by leveraging RAID redundancy to reconstruct data dynamically. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/335003/other...nd-windows

I’m about to publish my book, but formatting is turning out to be harder than I thought. I want it to look professional, but I’m not sure if I should learn how to format your text into a book myself or hire someone.
If you’ve gone through the process, did you use any specific software or service? Was hiring a professional worth it, or is formatting your text into a book something that’s easy to do with the right tools?

(PR) AAEON Announces NV8600-Nano AI Developer Kit

AAEON's UP brand, a leading provider of professional developer boards, has announced the release of the NV8600-Nano AI Developer Kit, available exclusively on the company's UP Shop. Comprised of an NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano module with Super Mode support, custom AAEON carrier board, and a preinstalled Jetson Platform Services software package, the NV8600-Nano AI Developer Kit reflects a notable expansion for UP, which since its inception has been renowned for its ability to leverage the newest Intel technologies across a range of industrial maker boards across standardized form factors.

While not AAEON's first developer kit to provide preinstalled software tools, the NV8600-Nano AI Developer Kit is the company's first to do so on an NVIDIA-accelerated platform. This new offering will provide AAEON customers an array of software tools dedicated to AI model optimization, distinguishing the kit from AAEON's broader NVIDIA-based product catalog, which typically focuses on industrial, deployment-ready system-on-modules. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/334946/aaeon...eloper-kit

(PR) GAMEMAX Introduces Leader 2 Gaming Chassis with Lion-Inspired Design

GAMEMAX, an emerging brand of PC gaming components including gaming cases and power supply units, introduces the Leader 2 gaming PC cases - the designed based on the brand's new mid-tower PC chassis featuring a bold lion-themed design featuring claw mark details on the mesh and other parts, delivering both superior airflow and striking aesthetics.

Designed for high-end gaming and workstation PC configurations, the GAMEMAX Leader 2 offers extensive hardware support accommodating E-ATX motherboards including back-connector motherboards like the ASUS BTF, GIGABYTE STEALTH, and MSI PROJECT ZERO. The chassis supports up to 425 mm-long GPUs (RTX 50 Series ready), up to 245 mm-long ATX PSUs, up to 185 mm-tall air coolers, and up to 420 mm radiators for unmatched versatility. The Leader 2 supports up to 9x 120 mm or 8x 140 mm fans, including four pre-installed 140 mm ARGB/PWM fans and an ARGB/PWM controller for enhanced airflow and vibrant lighting effects. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/334847/gamem...red-design

Windows Notepad Gets Microsoft Copilot Integration

Everybody's favorite plaintext editor, Notepad, has been gathering features in the last couple of years. For over three decades, the Windows accessory could do little more than just input and save plaintext files, but Microsoft has been adding features to it. It began with the 2022 addition of tabs—the ability to have multiple text files open as tabs. This was roughly when Microsoft changed Notepad from a Win32 application to a UWP app. Then in 2024, as part of a larger care package to all Windows accessories, Microsoft added spelling and grammar checks; and now the company brought Copilot integration directly into Notepad. A dedicated Copilot button in the Notepad toolbar now shows up. It spawns a menu that lets you use Copilot to proof the text, such as rewriting it, making it longer/shorter, changing the tone of the text, or even formatting it.


https://www.techpowerup.com/334820/windo...ntegration

Engaging people in tax-related work can be challenging, as taxes are often seen as a dry or complex topic. However, with the right strategies, you can make it more approachable and even interesting. Here are some tips:
1. Simplify the Complex

• Break down tax concepts into simple, relatable terms.
  
• Use visuals like infographics or videos to explain processes.
  
• Create step-by-step guides or FAQs to address common questions.
  

2. Make It Relevant

• Highlight how taxes impact their daily lives (e.g., public services, infrastructure).
  
• Share real-life examples or case studies to show the benefits of proper tax planning in Plano.
  

3. Use Interactive Tools

• Offer calculators for tax refunds, deductions, or savings.
  
• Host webinars or Q&A sessions to address concerns in real-time.
  
• Create quizzes or games to test tax knowledge in a fun way.
  

4. Leverage Storytelling

• Share success stories of individuals or businesses who benefited from tax compliance or planning.
  
• Use relatable scenarios to explain tax benefits or pitfalls.
  

5. Incentivize Participation

• Offer rewards for attending tax workshops or completing tax-related tasks early.
  
• Provide discounts or perks for using tax preparation services.
  

6. Build Trust

• Be transparent about the purpose and benefits of tax compliance.
  
• Use approachable and empathetic language to reduce intimidation.
  

7. Use Social Media

• Share bite-sized tax tips, myths, or fun facts on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
  
• Create engaging content like memes or short videos to make taxes less intimidating.
  

8. Collaborate with Influencers

• Partner with financial influencers or experts to spread awareness.
  
• Use their platforms to reach a wider audience in a relatable way.
  

9. Host Events

• Organize workshops, seminars, or community events focused on tax education.
  
• Provide networking opportunities with tax professionals.
  

10. Personalize the Experience

• Tailor communication to different demographics (e.g., freelancers, small business owners, students).
  
• Use email campaigns to send personalized tax reminders or tips.
  

Would you like help creating specific content or campaigns to engage people in tax-related work?

ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme Motherboard Pictured

Here are some of the first pictures of the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme, the company's new flagship Socket AM5 motherboard. Until now, the company's AMD 800-series chipset motherboard lineup topped off with the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero for connectivity and the ROG Crosshair X870E Apex for overclocking chops, and the company is looking to push things up a notch, especially given that AMD's Ryzen 9000X3D series is established as the fastest processor series for gaming PC builds. This board is designed to compete with the likes of the MSI MEG X870E Godlike and the GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Xtreme. It is firmly into the E-ATX territory in terms of dimensions. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, two 8-pin EPS, and an 8-pin PCIe power. It uses the company's most powerful CPU VRM solution for the AMD platform, above even the 22-phase solution of the Hero.

The ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme comes with a large number of 4-pin PWM fan and water pump headers. Storage connectivity includes one M.2-22110 Gen 5 on the board with a chunky heat pipe-based cooler; a second Gen 5 and two Gen 4 slots on the board, and a DIMM.2 module that provides additional slots. The expansion slots provided are a PCI-Express 5.0 x16 and a second PCI-Express 4.0 x4 (physical x16). There are a boat-load of USB ports, including a couple of 40 Gbps USB4, 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, and several 10 Gbps and 5 Gbps USB 3.2 ports. Networking interfaces include Wi-Fi 7, a 10 GbE, and a 5 GbE. The board features the company's most premium onboard audio solution that probably combines a Realtek ALC4082 with an ESS ES9219 DAC for the front channels, an audiophile-grade OPAMP, and premium capacitors. The board offers many of the exclusive overclocker-friendly features found in the company's ROG Maximus Extreme motherboards. A star-attraction is its 4-inch true-color display over the VRM heatsinks, which can be programmed to show anything. There is no word on availability or pricing.


https://www.techpowerup.com/334813/asus-...d-pictured

Ubisoft Creates New Subsidiary With Tencent for Top 3 AAA Game Franchises

After many rumors and supposed leaks claimed that Tencent was preparing a buyout of Ubisoft, it seems as though an alternative solution was reached, with Ubisoft today announcing that it has created a new subsidiary to house some of its biggest gaming franchises. According to the announcement, the new business entity is "based on its Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six brands," and it received initial funding from Tencent, which owns a 25% stake in the new business. Tencent's investment in the new subsidiary is to the tune of €1.16 billion.

The announcement also gives us an indication of what to expect from these game franchises going forward. For starters, Ubisoft mentions that the new subsidiary—and likely the capital injection from the Tencent investment—is part of a new business model that would allow it to invest more in increasing the quality of its creative outputs. Supposedly, it will focus on quality story-driven solo games and growing its multiplayer offerings with more frequent content updates, more social features, and introducing "free-to-play touchpoints." The acquisition comes after a series of delays marred the lead-up to the launch of the latest Assassin's Creed Shadows, which ultimately seems to have been a commercial success. In keeping with other trends, Ubisoft mentions in the press release that the move to split off these gaming IPs will also help accelerate its recent moves to make these gaming franchises multi-platform. Recently, Ubisoft has repeatedly stated that its strategy moving forward would include more multi-platform day-one launches, as opposed to console exclusives and timed exclusives. Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/334747/ubiso...franchises

Office Scanner? Toss It. This App Handles Everything

Fussing with a traditional scanner in 2025 is like still using a flip phone—it gets the job done, but there's a much smarter way to handle things. The iScanner is a professional-grade scanning app that turns your iPhone or iPad into a full-fledged document scanner, editor, and organizer.

Whether you're working remotely, running a business, or just need to digitize receipts and notes on the go, iScanner lets you scan, edit, and manage files anywhere—no bulky equipment required. For a limited time, you can grab a lifetime subscription to iScanner for just $24.99 (reg. $199.99) with code SCAN. That's a one-time payment for unlimited access.

iScanner can turn paper into searchable PDFs, extract text using AI-powered OCR, and even help you solve math problems by scanning equations. You can edit documents, add e-signatures, mark up text, and merge multiple files without ever touching a desktop computer. Get lifetime access to the iScanner app for just $24.99 (reg. $199.99) with code SCAN through March 30 only.Read full story


https://www.techpowerup.com/334450/offic...everything