Darren Allan

Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).

Articles by: Darren Allan

Screenshots from WWDC 2022

MacBook Air OLED reportedly delayed until at least 2028 – here’s why

By Darren Allan published

Hoping for a MacBook Air with OLED screen? You might be waiting a long time if this rumor is right.

Microsoft demonstrating Cocreator in Paint

Windows 11’s Paint and Notepad apps are getting smart new AI features – though one of the best will be for Copilot+ PCs only

By Darren Allan published

Crave more AI in Windows 11? Paint and Notepad are getting updates with new AI features to do more of the creative heavy lifting for you.

A PC Gamer looking happy sat in front of their desktop monitor

AMD Ryzen 9800X3D overclocking potential shown: CPU hits jaw-dropping 6.9GHz, exceeds 1,200 fps in Counter-Strike 2

By Darren Allan published

The Ryzen 9800X3D is the first 3D V-Cache processor that allows for overclocking, and it looks seriously good in these early tests.

HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw during our printer test procedure

Windows 11 24H2 misery continues, as Microsoft’s buggy update is now breaking printers – especially on Copilot+ PCs

By Darren Allan published

If you’re having problems with your printer after installing the 24H2 update, you’re certainly not alone.

Two people in an office working on an Apple iMac M4

Apple’s next-gen iMac 24-inch could get a much-wanted upgrade for the screen (though maybe not the one you want)

By Darren Allan published

A new rumor suggests that Apple’s iMac 24-inch for 2025, and its next-gen Studio Display monitor, will get a 90Hz display.

Windows 10 Fail

Windows 11 update fails are becoming a joke – but it looks like Microsoft is working hard on fixing them

By Darren Allan published

Fed up with Windows 11 having a rash of bugs lately? You wouldn’t be alone, but Microsoft is underway with fixing a bunch of these problems.

Render of AMD Ryzen chip

Gigabyte spoils AMD’s Ryzen 9000X3D surprise by leaking flagship 16-core CPU, which could be something special for gamers with X3D ‘turbo mode’

By Darren Allan published

Gigabyte lets 3D V-Cache cat out of the Zen 5 bag, casually mentioning 16-core Ryzen 9000X3D CPU in a press release.

A man sitting at a desk by a window, typing on a laptop

Paint it black – today is your last chance to download Paint 3D in Windows 11

By Darren Allan published

Paint 3D is not far off a decade old at this point, but it was sidelined by Microsoft a few years back – and now it’s fully getting the chop.

Xbox Wireless Controller Velocity Green

Windows 11’s feature to allow typing with your Xbox controller has vanished in a blow for owners of handheld gaming PCs

By Darren Allan published

Another glitch has hit Windows 11 24H2, and this time Microsoft has run into trouble with its gamepad layout for the on-screen keyboard.

A person using the M4 MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pro M5 next year might be disappointing as rumor suggests the real fireworks are coming with MacBook Pro M6 with OLED in 2026

By Darren Allan published

Waiting for a fully revamped MacBook Pro with OLED screen? It’s not coming next year, but in 2026, and there’s a growing amount of buzz around this rumor.

Ring Video Doorbell being used by Ant and Dec

Your Ring doorbell is getting its weirdest new feature yet, courtesy of Ant and Dec

By Darren Allan published

Want Ant and Dec to be the doormen at your home? Amazon has made it so with the Ring doorbell’s latest quick replies.

A pair of Intel Arc Alchemist chips in front of a dark purple background

Intel could have a plan for its future GPUs to better challenge AMD and Nvidia, as patent hints at new chiplet design

By Darren Allan published

Intel patent suggests future GPUs could be split into chiplets – a whole new approach for 3rd-gen Celestial graphics cards?

An AMD processor on a metal surface

AMD Strix Halo leak suggests flagship mobile chip with integrated GPU to perhaps outdo an RTX 4070 – but there’s a catch

By Darren Allan published

New leak reveals more details about the Ryzen AI Max Pro range, which could leave Apple’s MacBook Pro laptops in the dust.

A PC gamer looking happy

AMD reveals Ryzen 9800X3D CPU priced at $479 – runs at a speedy 5.2GHz boost, can be overclocked, and promises much smoother gameplay

By Darren Allan published

The Ryzen 9800X3D processor will go on sale in a week, and AMD has sprung a surprise reveal on us today.

Gmail at 20

Struggling to find emails in Gmail? Google’s new filter could soon ease your headaches

By Darren Allan published

Searching within Gmail could soon get a nifty new option to help you more easily locate emails lost deep within your stuffed-to-the-gills inbox.

Render of AMD Ryzen chip

Gigabyte leaks AMD Ryzen 9800X3D CPU (again) and explains ‘X3D turbo mode’ for its AM5 motherboards – but don’t get your hopes up too much

By Darren Allan published

How fast will the turbo mode make your CPU go? Some PC gamers might be disappointed compared to what we’ve heard about this mode previously.

Close up of Chromebook

Chrome slowing down your laptop? Google’s new performance controls could help the browser run faster

By Darren Allan published

Google keeps pushing with features to provide peppier performance for its web browser, and here are some fresh additions on that front.

An Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023 sitting on a table

M4 Max chip leaked by Apple itself – CPU is likely to power new MacBook Pro laptops that are about to be revealed

By Darren Allan published

M4 Max spotted on Apple’s website, leading to speculation that new MacBook Pro will pack this powerful chip.

GSkill Trident Z5 RGB RAM in an Asus motherboard

Fastest RAM in the world – G.Skill sets new record with DDR5 memory overclocked in excess of a staggering 12,000MT/s

By Darren Allan published

Beating a record that was just set, overclocker Safedisk used liquid nitrogen to reach this incredible speed.

The Mac mini 2023 on a desk next to a monitor

New Mac mini leak suggests rumors were right: Apple’s revamped PC is smaller, has M4 and M4 Pro CPUs – and there’s a welcome surprise when it comes to memory

By Darren Allan published

Want more RAM in your Mac mini? We’ve got some good news about the revamped PC which is shown to be more compact in leaked pics from Amazon.

Render of a new RTX 4000 Max-Q gaming laptop.

Nvidia’s mobile GPU range has apparently been spotted – could a powerful RTX 5080 supercharge gaming laptops soon?

By Darren Allan published

Ready for Nvidia’s next-gen laptop GPUs? RTX 5000 models spotted, lending weight to rumors of CES 2025 launch.

M3 Macbook Pro

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 could be a real treat for Halloween, if latest CPU and RAM spec rumors aren’t a trick

By Darren Allan published

Apple’s Macs with M4 chips are set to impress, rumor suggests – particularly MacBook Pro 14-inch which could get key upgrades.

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K being overclocked with Liquid Helium

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K overclocked to 7.5GHz smashes a bunch of records – and of course AI was involved (it had to be, right?)

By Darren Allan published

7.5GHz overclock is an incredible achievement, without a doubt – but that won’t help Arrow Lake’s lukewarm reception.

The socket interface of the Intel Core Ultra processor

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU is already being sold on eBay, but whatever you do, don’t be tempted by any ‘bargains’ – you’ll likely regret it

By Darren Allan published

A few different models have been spotted up for auction, including a temptingly cheap looking chip – but steer well clear.

Render of AMD Ryzen chip

AMD Ryzen 9800X3D CPU is ready to take the wind out of Intel’s Arrow Lake sails according to new leak

By Darren Allan published

Ryzen 9800X3D box photo hints that AMD is about to spring its not-so-secret gaming CPU weapon against Intel.

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