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 Mastodon @trzomb@mastodon.online to ask questions or share opinions.
Latest articles by Ben Wilson
Li-Fi vs Wi-Fi: Could this bleeding-edge tech make your next router as fast as light?
By Ben Wilson published
Li-Fi Li-Fi tech could propel wireless networking to unprecedented speeds as fast as light, thanks to a new standard set by the IEEE.
The best Prime Day 2023 gaming laptop discounts still up for grabs
By Ben Wilson last updated
Gaming laptops Gaming laptops offer AAA gaming wherever you are, but there are too many to choose from. Our Prime Day roundup lists the best deals worth your time.
The best graphics card discounts you can still grab after Prime Day 2023
By Ben Wilson last updated
Prime Day Graphics cards are almost always the most expensive investment in a gaming PC, but Amazon Prime Day 2023 has tempting discounts on the hottest GPUs.
The best Prime Day Wi-Fi router deals 2023: Last chance to save on wireless networking
By Ben Wilson last updated
Prime Day Wi-Fi routers feature some of the strangest jargon in tech, but I'm here to explain which discounted routers are worth buying on Amazon Prime Day and what they can do.
The 7 best Steam Deck accessories to buy before Prime Day ends
By Ben Wilson published
Decked out Prime Day is nearly over, but my favorite Steam Deck accessories are still up for grabs at a discount if you're fast.
7 Prime Day deals I can't live without: PC and gaming favorites from my desk
By Ben Wilson published
On my desk Everyone says they know the best deals, but my top picks are still on my desk. Grab my favorites at a discount.
Valve just proved the Steam Deck is still unchallenged by its rivals — here's why
By Ben Wilson published
Still the best Valve's Steam Deck has rivals chasing its popularity, but a recent rare discount to its price proved there's nothing to worry about for the current portable PC champion.
Best PCs for sim racing 2023: pre-built desktop options
By Ben Wilson last updated
PC racers The best desktop pre-built PC options for sim racing offer a more personalized experience than a console. Grab a ready-made computer and hit the race track.
Intel 14th Gen Meteor Lake processors: Everything you need to know about the new (and refreshed) CPUs
By Ben Wilson published
Meteor Lake A brand-new generation of Intel processors is due to drop soon enough and comes with a new naming scheme alongside some unusual in-between CPUs. Here's what you need to know about Meteor Lake.
Best motherboard for AMD Ryzen 5 5600X in 2023
By Ben Wilson last updated
5600X AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X fits the B550 and X570 chipset, but which motherboard is the best for this mid-range, 8-core processor?
How to play FIFA 23 on Steam Deck: SteamOS and Windows options
By Ben Wilson published
FIFA anywhere Running FIFA 23 on your Steam Deck isn't as straightforward as it could be, but virtual football fans can still play it on Valve's portable PC with a few steps.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 8) review: Still the 2-in-1 champion for remote workers
By Ben Wilson published
Review Lenovo refreshes the ThinkPad X1 Yoga to claim its crown as the business-focused 2-in-1 champion. Traveling workers will undoubtedly adore this 8th Gen refresh.
AMD Ryzen PRO 7000 Series CPUs: The future of AI-powered business laptops and (maybe) desktops
By Ben Wilson published
Ryzen PRO AMD announces its new Ryzen PRO 7000 series of processors for desktops, notebook laptops, and workstations, focusing on energy efficiency and AI.
User-modified NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti upgrades to a monstrous 44GB of VRAM
By Ben Wilson published
Never enough A GPU hobbyist shared the results of cramming 44GB total VRAM into a previous-gen RTX 2080 Ti from NVIDIA, but the verdict is a mixed bag.
There's a better way to spend $3500 on VR than the Apple Vision Pro (and it includes an entire gaming PC)
By Ben Wilson published
VR DIY Apple's Vision Pro is here to rock the augmented-reality space. Admittedly not a very big space, and one that feels smaller daily, so here's a better way to spend that MSRP on VR.
Diablo 4 error code 315306 causes 'valid license' issues on PlayStation and Xbox: Here's the fix
By Ben Wilson published
Diablon't Some Diablo 4 players are suffering a warning that the game is unable to find a valid license, but we have a couple of potential fixes.
Memorial Day sales 2023: Best laptop deals, discounted games, and affordable accessories
By Ben Wilson published
Deals Memorial Day has some of the biggest tech deals of the year. You can save big right now on Surface laptops, a wide range of PCs, and a ton of games and gadgets.
Lenovo L32p-30 32" 4K monitor review: Budget 60Hz for at-home creative pros
By Ben Wilson published
Review Affordable 4K is finally a realistic prospect, and Lenovo offers its 60Hz panel to a budget-conscious audience with some neat extras thrown in to boot.
I'm addicted to 7 boomer shooters: The old-school throwbacks for geriatric FPS fans
By Ben Wilson published
OK, boomer Don't worry; if you've never heard of boomer shooters, you're probably just not bitter and old. That's partly why I LOVE these seven throwbacks for appealing to my nostalgia.
Acer unveils 16-inch laptops for portable 240Hz gaming and more
By Ben Wilson published
Predator Acer attends Computex 2023 in Taiwan this weekend to demo three new devices, including the killer 16-inch Predator Triton gaming laptop.
AMD's affordable Radeon RX 7600 GPU revealed: The rumors were (mostly) true
By Ben Wilson published
RX 7600 The brand-new AMD Radeon RX 7600 graphics card officially drops soon, but you probably already heard about it. Good news: most of the leaks were accurate.
Microsoft celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day with ChatGPT
By Ben Wilson published
GAAD 12 Expanding its accessibility efforts into AI-powered tools, Microsoft's Chief Accessibility Officer highlights their recent partnerships alongside OpenAI and ChatGPT-4.
Best handheld console alternatives to ASUS ROG Ally: Steam Deck and more
By Ben Wilson published
Ally alternatives ASUS enters the handheld PC gaming race with the ROG Ally featuring Windows 11, but it's not for everyone. Here are the best alternatives to consider first.
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