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 BlueSky @benwilson.net to ask questions or share opinions.
Latest articles by Ben Wilson
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.
Don't fall for the iOS rage bait over Windows Phone Link
By Ben Wilson published
🔒 Phone Link A recently implied scandal might discourage you from pairing an iPhone with Windows Phone Link, but the issue carries no weight.
Unlock Walmart discounts via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate before Memorial Day sales begin
By Ben Wilson published
Walmart Plus Subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can use a new trial code to take advantage of early Memorial Day savings at Walmart.
Syntech 6-in-1 docking station review: An ultra-budget Steam Deck dock with unusual quirks
By Ben Wilson published
Review Some Steam Deck features are locked unless you own a docking station, but Valve's official dock has a steep price tag, so Syntech made a cost-saving solution.
Ethernet backhaul or wireless: Which should you choose for your mesh router?
By Ben Wilson last updated
Backhaul? You can choose between Ethernet backhaul or wireless for your mesh network, but which is the best and why?
Possibly the best ASUS ROG Ally carrying case is already up for pre-order
By Ben Wilson published
Slick Ally We've had first-hand experience with this brand, which continues to prove they're one of the safest bets to keep your valuable consoles safe and sound.
Shady business allegations embroil ASUS at the worst possible time (UPDATE)
By Ben Wilson last updated
Nexus of outrage Issues with ASUS motherboards refuse to subside, and recent coverage from content creators adds fuel to the AMD Ryzen fire.
How to install Windows on Steam Deck: Dual booting Windows 11 and SteamOS
By Ben Wilson last updated
Win Deck Dual boot into Windows 11 from an SD card on your Steam Deck with my straightforward guide and play games otherwise unavailable on SteamOS.
Can the ROG Ally survive a full day of gaming on its battery?
By Ben Wilson published
🪫 Not enough juice? The ROG Ally is officially here, impressing in every category except the one that counts: battery life. Could this affect my temptation to abandon the Steam Deck?
Microsoft to assist novice app builders with yet another AI tool powered by Azure
By Ben Wilson published
Code for all Microsoft just signed an undisclosed sum for a deal with an AI-focused startup to bring collaborative app development to its Azure suite.
dbrand already offering ROG Ally accessories — with an intriguing release date
By Ben Wilson published
dbrand 🤝 Ally dbrand has opened pre-orders for protective accessories explicitly designed to fit the ASUS ROG Ally perfectly, with an eyebrow-raising release date.
High-speed RAM still voids your CPU warranty (but only if you tell them)
By Ben Wilson published
🔥 Spicy memory Enabling XMP or EXPO profiles can void your CPU warranty, but there's a simple way around it and get your money back on any melted processors.
Save up to $1000 on Alienware high-end gaming laptops and protect your wallet from any probing
By Ben Wilson published
👽 Dealware Alienware laptops pack premium hardware into some of the slickest gaming laptops around, and they're offering one of their best with a massive $1,000 discount.
Best Steam Deck screen protectors 2024: Scratch-free gaming on the go
By Ben Wilson last updated
Scratch-free Keep your Steam Deck's beautiful 7-inch screen free of scuffs and scratches with the best screen protector.
Best SFX PSU 2024: Compact power supplies for your small form factor PC
By Ben Wilson last updated
Power supplies Building a compact PC can be tricky, considering the size of some modern components. Luckily, the best SFX power supplies are perfect for SFF builds, and I've found them all.