TechLinked – Dell XPS Returns, First WiFi 8 Devices, Weird Storage Tech + More!

Podcast: TechLinked by Linus Media Group
Episode Date: January 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of TechLinked dives into the major tech announcements from CES 2026, starting with Dell’s surprising and refreshingly honest hardware strategy, the return and redesign of the XPS line, the advent of early WiFi 8 devices, and an array of unconventional storage solutions. The hosts also touch on whimsical new input devices, a slew of controversies (including AI deepfakes and TV privacy concerns), and gaming hardware absurdities, all delivered in the characteristically witty and irreverent TechLinked style.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Dell’s Comeback & Honest Messaging (00:27–02:06)

• Dell’s CES presentation bucked the relentless AI marketing trend—
  • “Dell showed up to CES 2026 and basically said our bad... Kevin admitted that people don't actually care about AI PCs, stating that it's become clear that consumers are not buying based on AI.” – Host (00:29)
• Dell abandoned their failed “Dell Premium” rebrand and revived XPS:
  • “Well, everyone hated that. Sales tanked and the COO openly admitted the rebrand was a mistake. So now XPS is back with a full Redesign.” (00:49)
• New XPS models detailed:
  • XPS 14 and 16: Thinnest yet, down to 14.6mm, powered by Intel Panther Lake with only Intel Arc integrated graphics (no discrete options)
  • Displays drop to 1Hz on static content, yielding battery life up to 27 hours
  • XPS 16 nearly a pound lighter than before; XPS 14/16 start at $2,049, XPS 13 later in the year at a lower price
  • Debut of a massive 52" 6K ultrawide monitor for $2,900
  • “Imagine that, a hardware company talking about actual hardware instead of chatbots.” (00:40)

2. WiFi 8 Leaps Ahead of Schedule (02:06–03:07)

• WiFi 8 revealed at CES, years before full standard release (set for 2028):
  • Asus’s ROG Neocore AI router prototype boasts a “D20” shape and claims double the throughput of WiFi 7.
  • Zyxel and Mediatek already pitching “AI-ready” WiFi 8 chips and products to future-proof carriers and enterprises.
  • Industry focus shifts from raw speed to reliability and latency improvements:
    • “The big thing all these companies seem to be pushing is that the new generation is not going to show a massive jump in network speeds. Instead, the focus is on the reliability benefits...” (03:00)
  • Humor on gamer hopes for AI routers: “Can the AI part help me hit a NAT20 on a fumble rule? Let's hope.” (02:31)

3. Strange New Storage Tech at CES (03:07–05:11)

• Goner (long-defunct 90s brand) resurfaces with unconventional designs:
  • Phone backup drive and a hybrid external drive + 65W charger/cube gadget
  • “It's kind of like a second computer that plugs into your computer to make it compute better, but it's a cube and you know, not a computer. Kind of weird...” (03:58)
• Micron's 3610: First PCIe 5.0 QLC SSD (DRAM-less, single sided, up to 4TB, OEM only, 11GB/s speeds), signaling more affordable high-performance storage
• Fison’s new Gen 5 storage controllers: 8TB capacity, DRAM-less, lower power draw
• Hoem’s “SSD1”: External SSD with upgradeable storage AND a microphone input for direct recording, designed for creators on the go

4. Quick Bits – Industry Rumblings, Gaming, and AI Drama (06:13–End)

• GPU & RAM Shortages:

• Nvidia may revive the RTX 3060 due to component shortages, possibly backporting AI features (06:16)
• AMD is exploring bringing older AM4 platform products back to mitigate RAM cost spikes

• James Bond Game Hardware Nonsense:

• IO Interactive’s 007 specs baffling: calls for a non-existent “i5 9500K” and a 12GB RTX 3060 Ti (actual card only has 8GB), plus very high RAM/VRAM minimums (06:47)
• “Even setting aside the Phantom parts, these specs are pretty brutal. 32 gigabytes of RAM and 12 gigabytes of VRAM just to hit 1080p 60fps.” (06:59)
• Jokes about running the game on future sci-fi hardware: “At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if you need to get one of Nvidia's new Ruben supercomputers with some of those goo pods from the Matrix as a power supply.” (07:11)

• X AI’s Deepfake Fallout:

• Multiple international governments (UK, EU, France, India, Brazil, Malaysia) investigate X AI after Grok generates thousands of deepfakes/hour, some featuring minors
• Musk’s company threatens users instead of clarifying safeguards (07:49)
• Musk claims Tesla will make its own 2nm chip fab, boasting about ignoring clean room protocol:
  • “Promising to eat a cheeseburger and smoke a cigar inside of their new facility.” (08:18)
  • Hosts joke about looming disaster: “We here at TechLink look forward to witnessing him destroy a $60 billion machine the same way I destroyed my 1997 Honda Civic…” (08:25)

• Samsung Smart TV Privacy Lawsuit:

• Texas court restrains Samsung for alleged automated screenshot capture on smart TVs (for ad targeting), joining a trend of consumer spying lawsuits (08:40)

5. Funky Keyboards & Input Devices (09:06–End)

• It's the “year of the keyboard turducken”:
  • Corsair Galleon 100 SD: Mechanical keyboard with a built-in 5" Stream Deck, 8K polling, dual rotary dials
  • Keychron Q Ultra: 660-hour battery, 8K polling
  • HP Elite 4G 1A: Full Windows 11 PC inside a keyboard, with upgradable RAM/storage and WiFi 7 support; wins CES Innovation award despite being functionally similar to “laptops” and mini-PCs
  • “Let's ignore the laptops, of course, and mini PCs. And you know what? Ignore the Raspberry PIs too.” (09:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dell’s AI honesty:
  “After a solid year of every tech screaming AI PC at us like a pack of seagulls fighting over french fries in a McDonald's dumpster, Dell just stopped.” (00:38)

• On WiFi 8 innovation:
  “Leading the charge is Asus with their new ROG Neocore router concept. This weird D20 shaped AI router...” (02:12)

• On storage tech weirdness:
  “A bizarre hybrid gadget that's part external drive and part 65 watt charger…it's a cube and you know, not a computer. Kind of weird…” (03:53)

• James Bond gaming hardware feats:
  “Fans were shaken, not stirred, to discover some of the listed hardware just doesn't exist.” (06:50)

• On Musk’s chip fab claim:
  “Promising to eat a cheeseburger and smoke a cigar inside of their new facility.” (08:18)

• Keyboards at CES:
  “It's the year of the keyboard turducken at CES because these keys are stuffed.” (09:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Dell XPS & CES Announcements: 00:27–02:06
• WiFi 8 Devices & Industry Direction: 02:06–03:07
• Weird Storage Innovations: 03:07–05:11
• Quick Bits (GPUs, RAM, AI, TV Privacy): 06:13–09:06
• Keyboards & Input Device Roundup: 09:06–End

Conclusion

This TechLinked episode delivers fast-paced, irreverent coverage of CES 2026’s oddities, major launches, industry headaches, and the realities lurking behind shiny press releases. With their signature banter, the hosts cut through AI hype, lampoon product absurdities, and keep listeners updated on what actually matters in tech and gaming culture right now.

If you missed CES or just want the good bits, this episode covers everything from Dell’s humble hardware pivot to Musk’s latest ambitions, making complex news feel both accessible and entertaining.