25 Great Games You Can Play on Laptops and Budget PCs

[TechSpot Weekly Newsletter] Latest in tech March 21 Gaming on a Budget [25 Great Games You Can Play on Laptops and Budget PCs]( We often talk about the latest and greatest graphics cards and playing games at the highest settings, but there are times when that's not an option. In times like these, it's nice to have a library of fun games that won't melt our processors. Here's our list of [25 great (but less demanding) games]( we can wholeheartedly recommend. We often talk about the latest and greatest graphics cards and playing games at the highest settings, but there are times when that's not an option. In times like these, it's nice to have a library of fun games that won't melt our processors. Here's our list of [25 great (but less demanding) games]( we can wholeheartedly recommend. Next-Gen [DirectX 12 Ultimate graphics API seeks to unify Xbox and PC gaming visuals]( According to Microsoft, DirectX 12 Ultimate hardware, whether it comes in the form of a standalone PC video card or an onboard Xbox Series X GPU, is "guaranteed" to support all next-gen graphics features such as DXR 1.1, Variable Rate… According to Microsoft, DirectX 12 Ultimate hardware, whether it comes in the form of a standalone PC video card or an onboard Xbox Series X GPU, is "guaranteed" to support all next-gen graphics features such as DXR 1.1, Variable Rate… Windows 10 [Microsoft product chief teases new Windows 10 UI in celebration of one billion users]( Windows 10 design revamp efforts have been keeping Microsoft busy for quite some time now. We've seen its Fluent Design language dictate the look and feel of new app icons as well as the Start Menu layout on the desktop.… Windows 10 design revamp efforts have been keeping Microsoft busy for quite some time now. We've seen its Fluent Design language dictate the look and feel of new app icons as well as the Start Menu layout on the desktop.… Gaming [Sony reveals PlayStation 5 specifications, including support for internal NVMe SSD upgrades]( Microsoft recently revealed the full specifications and internal design details of its Xbox Series X, and now it's Sony's turn. The latter company has been a bit more secretive with the PlayStation 5, and has only been throwing small teasers… Microsoft recently revealed the full specifications and internal design details of its Xbox Series X, and now it's Sony's turn. The latter company has been a bit more secretive with the PlayStation 5, and has only been throwing small teasers… Gaming [Bethesda accidentally shipped Doom Eternal DRM-free]( It was confirmed earlier this week once the review embargo lifted that Doom Eternal would use anti-tamper technology Denuvo to help slow piracy out of the gate. Once users had a chance to poke around the game files, however, they… It was confirmed earlier this week once the review embargo lifted that Doom Eternal would use anti-tamper technology Denuvo to help slow piracy out of the gate. Once users had a chance to poke around the game files, however, they… Car Tech [Study: Android Auto, Apple CarPlay can impair driving more than alcohol]( A simulator study undertaken by TRL on behalf of IAM Roadsmart—the UK’s largest independent road safety charity—the FIA, and the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, showed how much drivers’ reaction times slowed based on different scenarios. A simulator study undertaken by TRL on behalf of IAM Roadsmart—the UK’s largest independent road safety charity—the FIA, and the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, showed how much drivers’ reaction times slowed based on different scenarios. Environment [Coronavirus lockdown causes global emissions to fall]( The effect was first detected by NASA and the European Space Agency, which released satellite images showing a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions (NO2) in Chinese cities between January and February. NO2 is released by cars, factories, and power… The effect was first detected by NASA and the European Space Agency, which released satellite images showing a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions (NO2) in Chinese cities between January and February. NO2 is released by cars, factories, and power… Industry [Graphics card, motherboard, and laptop shipments crashed last month]( According to a Digitimes report, sales of motherboard and graphics cards fell 30 – 50 percent in China last month and aren’t expected to show signs of improvement until at least July. When the outbreak began in China, factories in… According to a Digitimes report, sales of motherboard and graphics cards fell 30 – 50 percent in China last month and aren’t expected to show signs of improvement until at least July. When the outbreak began in China, factories in… [Spanish authorities are using drones to warn people who break quarantine]( Spain currently has the fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases, sitting behind China, Italy, and Iran. There have been over 15,000 confirmed infections and 640 deaths, leading the country to declare a state of emergency. On Saturday, all 47 million citizens… [PlayStation 5 backwards compatibility: Support for some, but not all PS4 games]( By any measure, Sony dropped the ball when it came to backward compatibility on the PlayStation 4. It was the first in the line that shipped without legacy support. Eventually, Sony enabled PS3 titles via the PS Now subscription service,… [Call of Duty: Warzone attracted more than 30 million players in only 10 days]( When Activision first announced its take on the Battle Royale genre with Call of Duty: Warzone, I had my doubts about how well it would do in what seems like an already oversaturated market. With Apex Legends, Fortnite, and PUBG… [Amazon and YouTube follow suit, will reduce streaming quality in the EU]( In a statement issued to TechCrunch, a YouTube spokesperson said they are having ongoing conversations with regulators, governments and network operators across Europe and have committed to temporarily defaulting all traffic in the EU and the UK to standard definition. [GOG makes all of its free games available in one location]( Digital distribution platform GOG.com recently launched its annual Spring Sale with deep discounts on a wide variety of DRM-free games. Understandably, lots of people are tightening their budgets and hanging on to as much disposable income as possible in this… [Google's Advanced Protection Program will start blocking third-party Android app installations]( They will only be able to download apps that were grabbed directly from the Google Play Store (or other official app stores), according to TechCrunch. This is a logical move on the surface -- third-party apps can pose a risk… [The new Nokia 8.3 is 5G-enabled, sports camera array that could rival flagships]( The Nokia 8.3 5G starts things out with an emphasis on the content creation capabilities of its Zeiss cameras, particularly video. There is an array of four cameras on the back including the main 64-megapixel, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, 2-megapixel macro,… [Facebook's redesigned desktop version brings faster loading times, dark mode]( Most users can try out the new-look Facebook.com themselves by going to the Settings Menu and selecting “See New Facebook.” You might also see a banner at the top of the page asking if you want to try the new… [NYSE will move to all-electronic trading next week]( The New York Stock Exchange recently announced plans to temporarily suspend in-person trading to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. [iPhone 12 reportedly still on track for fall launch despite component delays caused by coronavirus]( Back in November 2019, when the coronavirus wasn't on anyone's radar, Apple was telling suppliers to expect over 100 million orders of its upcoming 5G-capable iPhone 12. That started looking much less realistic earlier this month in the context of… [Global smartphone shipments experienced the biggest decline in history last month]( Shipments dipped 38 percent year-over-year, from 99.2 million units in February 2019 to just 61.8 million last month. [Many are turning to digital fundraising platforms for financial relief]( Crowdfunding platforms, at least when viewed through the tech lens, are often seen as destinations to “take a chance” on a new start-up or an exciting product. But in these difficult times, many are utilizing digital fundraising platforms to try… Software Downloads - [Vivaldi 2.11.1811.49]( - [Viber 12.6.0.5]( - [Discord 5.14.2018]( Drivers - [AMD Radeon Adrenalin 2020 Edition Graphics Driver 20.3.1 Hotfix]( 2020-03-19 09:55:16 - [Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 442.74 for Windows 10]( 2020-03-19 09:26:32 Tech Pic of the Day [Knew I didn't waste money on this laptop stand]( Credit: [Reddit]( Hot discussion [News and Comments]( [Coronavirus response goes mainstream, no longer just about cancelled tech conferences]( [News and Comments]( [Latest Windows 10 update causes system slowdowns, crashes, more]( Follow TechSpot TechSpot: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Steam]( [Flipboard]( [YouTube]( [RSS]( [View this email in your browser]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [We only send these emails with your permission after you've registered on TechSpot.com]( [Click here to unsubscribe]( © 2019 TechSpot, Inc. 2020 © TechSpot Inc If you no longer want to receive emails from us, you can [unsubscribe](.