Windows Weekly 965: "Almost Meat" - CES 2026 Laptops, Processors, AI, & Robots!

Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, Richard Campbell

Episode Overview

The first episode of 2026 dives into the technological highlights from CES—including the latest in laptops, processors, AI, and robotics—while also reflecting on industry trends such as the evolution of Windows, PC hardware advances, local AI, and the growing dominance of “little tech.” The hosts, longtime Microsoft insiders, offer both news and critical commentary, covering everything from processor wars and operating system openness to the foibles of introducing AI (and Copilot) everywhere, and even modern whiskey trends.

CES 2026: Laptops, Chips, AI, and Robotics

Attendance and Industry Vibe

• CES attendance significantly down from last year ([03:32]).
• Hosts note they no longer see the value in physically attending, as coverage can be handled remotely and with more sanity ([03:28] Paul: “I value my time and my sanity.”).

Major Announcements and Trends

• Dominant themes: New PC hardware, AI integration, and the rise of robots ([04:26], [04:33]).
• Chip Makers: Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Nvidia all made major announcements at CES:
  • Intel: Announced Panther Lake (successor to Lunar Lake), with “dramatically better” CPU, GPU, and NPU performance ([07:27]).
  • AMD: Zen 5 AI 400 series is a “minor bump” over AI 300 but still a meaningful step up ([06:25]).
  • Qualcomm/Snapdragon: Introducing the X2 and X2 Plus (for mid-range and budget PCs), as well as Snapdragon-based Copilot Plus desktops ([25:27]).
  • Nvidia: Expanding beyond data center GPUs, hinting at diversification ([25:27]).

PC Makers & Devices

• Major manufacturers (Lenovo, HP, LG, and others) are shipping or about to ship products with these new chips ([23:40]).
• Notable form factor innovation: Lenovo’s rotatable and rollable screen laptops move from prototype to production ([24:01], [24:22]).
• New materials: LG’s "arominum"—soft, superlight composites for the Gram series ([29:02]).

Reliability & Real-World Performance

• Panther Lake laptop praised for performance/efficiency; standard Intel “reliability” issues persist ([07:29]).
• AMD considered more reliable by some hosts ([08:48], [08:53]).
  • Richard: “Guess which one isn't working right now? ... The Intel.” ([09:10])
• Snapdragon (Windows on ARM) now considered a “first-class citizen” for laptops; hosts especially like HP OmniBook 5 ([21:54], [21:58]).

Copilot Plus PC Desktops

• First desktops (including mini-PCs and even a PC-in-a-keyboard a la Commodore 64) with Copilot Plus announced ([25:27]).

Repairability & Sustainability

• Momentum around sustainable, repairable laptops: more components now user-replaceable (SSD, Wi-Fi, etc.); Lenovo goes full Framework-style with modular I/O ([30:08]).
• Right to repair driven by global regulation ([31:17]).

RAM Supply Issues

• IDC warns RAM prices for PCs and smartphones will surge due to AI data center demand ([31:17], [70:37]).
• Expect possible pricing pressure, fewer memory upgrade options, and impacts on affordable laptops ([32:55], [71:53]).

Windows, Operating Systems, & Openness

OS Landscape: Windows, Linux, Mac

• Discussion about kernel differences fading; user experience, interface and apps becoming the deciding factors ([10:51], [12:27]).
• "Open wins": Hosts see value in openness—not just in Linux, but also in customizable hardware and non-monolithic ecosystems ([14:07]).
  • Paul: “In the end I feel like open wins, you know, when it comes to computing platforms.” ([14:07])

Device Reliability & Instant-On

• Windows on ARM’s streamlined cruft-free design offers better reliability, UX much like instant-on mobile devices ([17:45]).
• x86/legacy “layers of cruft” compared unfavorably to ARM Windows ([17:45]), but emulation and NPU/GPU power have improved compatibility dramatically ([20:59]).

AI Integration in Windows

• Windows adding AI tooling directly into the OS:
  • Agents and Copilot features treated as normal user interface elements, not imposing on the workflow ([66:44]).
• AI brings text editing and vision features to any app/system-level interface ([66:44]).

Windows & Rust

• Rumor clarified: Microsoft is not rewriting Windows in Rust, but is refactoring more internal code using Rust for security and reliability ([48:38]-[51:28]).

  • “We're going to eliminate every line of C and C++ code from Microsoft by 2030. We're going to use AI and algorithms to do this...We're looking for someone who knows Rust to help us.” — Paul referencing Galen Hunt job posting ([48:38]).

• Mark Russinovich’s edict: “No more C and C++” for new Microsoft code where Rust makes sense ([50:52]).

• Main driver: eliminating memory safety vulnerabilities (i.e., less buffer overflow risk) ([54:04]).

• Kernel and driver code “the right place to do Rust in Windows and Linux or any system” ([57:59]).

AI, Little Tech, and Local Models

AI at CES and Beyond

• “The story this year is AI and robots.” — Leo ([04:26]).
• AI is everywhere, from laptops to robots to copilot keys on keyboards ([11:57], [40:45]).

Local vs Cloud AI

• Panelists highlight rise of “little AI”—local and privacy-respecting AI models:
  • Local models are catching up (“only six months behind”), making it increasingly feasible to run essential AI tasks privately on-device ([112:38], [112:45]).
  • Tools recommended: LM Studio, Anything LLM, and Jan AI ([114:07]).
    • Jan described as “the most like ChatGPT…looks and feels like ChatGPT” — Paul ([114:10]).
  • “This is the year we’re going to have this stuff…we’re going to run it locally, it’s going to be fine…for most people, for most things.” — Paul ([112:45])
• Little Tech vs Big Tech: Move toward smaller, user-respecting companies that value privacy and customer relationship ([116:41]).

Notable Quote

"The trust has been lost with big tech ... little tech companies are pretty obvious. ... But I feel like there's this giant area in the middle...Ultimately, it's about trust."
— Paul ([116:41])

Robots: Humanoid or Specialized?

• Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robots heading into Hyundai factories ([38:01]).
• Panel debates whether household robots should be humanoid (general purpose) or specialized (single function) ([36:43]–[39:39]):
  • Paul: “I desperately want a hundred little robots. I want little robots everywhere.” ([38:40])
  • On safety: Human-shaped robots may look approachable but pose risks (“like having a chimp in the house”)—host worries about safety of “cute” but strong, metal robots ([39:39]).

Windows Security: Hardware Accelerated BitLocker

• Microsoft quietly added hardware-accelerated BitLocker in Windows 11 25H2 and Server 2025 to counter performance hits from SSD BitLocker encryption ([58:26]).
  • Requires latest CPUs; not yet widely enabled ([74:52]).
  • Significant performance improvements expected; security best practice to always enable full-disk encryption, especially on SSDs ([77:36]).
  • Tool to check status:
    Manage BDE -status ([75:16])
  • Quote: “If you’re living life correctly…you never store anything just on that one computer” — Paul ([78:16])

App/Tool Picks

Local AI Clients

• Jan AI: Local chat client—extremely ChatGPT-like, user-friendly, supports local models ([114:07], [123:15]).
• LM Studio / Anything LLM: For those seeking alternatives with broader model or hardware support ([114:07]).

Bonjour (App Pick)

• Minimalist browser new tab/start page for quick productivity; syncs across browsers, free ([123:37]).

Whiskey Segment: Singleton of Dufftown

• Richard’s Pick: Singleton of Dufftown (12-year Speyside)
  • “A recruitment malt”—easy-drinking, light, aimed at new whiskey drinkers ([130:05]).
  • Sold at accessible prices (about $45/bottle); primarily made from overproduction at three distilleries ([133:04])
  • “If you like whiskey, you’re probably going to skip it—it’s just not that interesting. But if you want to start whiskey, I’d keep one around to introduce somebody new to whiskey.” — Richard ([140:22])

Xbox Segment

• Game Pass new additions: Resident Evil Village and Star Wars Outlaws ([91:28]).
• Discussion of GOG.com sale: Now an independent DRM-free game store ([92:30]).
• Steam Deck LCD model discontinued—new model rumors ([98:42]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• On CES Attendees:
  “I value my time and my sanity.” — Paul ([03:28])

• On ARM Windows:
  “Snapdragon is a first-class citizen at this point.” — Leo ([21:54])

• On Apple and RAM upgrades:
  "They'll charge nothing for the upgrade. I'm just kidding, they're terrible." — Paul ([33:33])

• On the folly of humanoid robots:
  “It’s too much complexity designing something to work like a human body. Why would you ever do that?” — Paul ([40:09])

• On Microsoft & Rust:
  “Mark Russinovich famously...‘No more C and C++. That’s actually great’.” — Paul ([50:52])

• On local AI:
  “This is the year...we’re going to run it locally, it’s going to be fine…for most people, for most things.” — Paul ([112:45])

• On big tech:
  “The trust has been lost with big tech...the thing that to me defines a little tech company is...they care about you as a customer.” — Paul ([116:41])

Key Timestamps by Segment

• CES & Laptops/Chips: [03:28]–[39:37]
• OS, Hardware, and Openness: [10:51]–[31:17]
• BitLocker Encryption: [58:26]–[79:13]
• AI, Local Models & Little Tech: [82:53]–[123:15]
• App/Tool Picks: [123:37]–[125:19]
• Whiskey Segment: [127:10]–[141:55]
• Xbox/Gaming: [90:16]–[103:15]

Final Thoughts

This episode paints CES 2026 as a turning point for PC hardware with meaningful leaps in AI integration, battery life, and form factor innovation. The hosts urge listeners to consider the shifting balance toward local AI and “little tech” for more privacy and user respect, while calling out both the promise and pitfalls of an industry racing toward AI and openness (but sometimes only skin deep). Their trademark mix of insider knowledge, skepticism, and humor is as strong as ever as Windows Weekly kicks off another year.

For more, listen to the full episode or check out additional resources on the Windows Weekly home page.