Cale Hunt

Cale Hunt

Contributor

Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than nine years of experience writing about PC gaming, Windows laptops, accessories, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.

Cale has published hundreds of reviews on Windows Central, and he's not afraid to give his honest opinion regarding everything from PC gaming hardware to Windows software and laptops.

This allows him to efficiently curate buying guides and product advice, giving readers a no-nonsense look at the options that will best suit their needs.

When he isn’t in his office writing, tinkering with tech, or gaming, Cale enjoys playing acoustic guitar (he’s a sucker for Bluegrass music), reading novels, tending the garden, and providing his two cats some much-needed attention.

Latest articles by Cale Hunt

A hand holding up an MSI Claw 8 AI+ handheld gaming PC that has the Intel Arc Graphics logo on it.

Intel unveils new Arc G-Series chips designed specifically for gaming handhelds

By Cale Hunt published

PC gaming Intel has followed through on its promise to shake up the handheld gaming market with new specialized SoCs.

4 Comments
PC gaming
Image of the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (G2) at CES 2026.

Can't decide which HP laptop is best for you? I can help.

By Cale Hunt last updated

Laptops HP's lineup of laptops includes countless models made for different types of users. I'm here to decipher the brands and makes to help you get the best HP laptop.

Laptops
A Maingear MG-1 MK.II gaming PC with RGB lighting illuminates the interior. It features a GeForce RTX graphics card and vibrant cooling fans, creating a futuristic vibe.

Here are the best pre-built gaming PCs for sim racing in 2025

By Cale Hunt last updated

PC Gaming The best pre-built gaming PCs for sim racing will offer a more personalized experience than a console. Grab a ready-made computer and hit the racetrack.

PC Gaming
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

Stay connected everywhere with these top-rated 5G laptops

By Cale Hunt last updated

Laptops Windows laptops with 5G can keep you connected just about anywhere, even when you're outside of Wi-Fi range. They're perfect for professionals in all fields.

Laptops
ASUS ProArt PX13 OLED display.

Need a laptop for video meetings? These are the best we've tested.

By Cale Hunt last updated

Laptops If you're in need of a great PC to use for video conferencing and Zoom meetings, these top-rated laptops we reviewed won't disappoint.

Laptops
Man presenting a sleek laptop on stage, with a large image of the device projected behind him. Audience members capture the moment on phones.

6 reasons an OLED XPS 14 might be for you

By Cale Hunt published

Sponsor Content Created With Dell

Dell's XPS 14 is a gorgeous laptop, and its appeal only goes up thanks to its Tandem OLED display option. Here are six huge reasons why the OLED display could be the right choice for you.

Two Power Automate application windows open on a Windows 11 desktop, displaying automation actions and user-created flows.

Windows 11 Pro's built-in automation tool makes it easy to save time

By Cale Hunt published

Sponsor Content Created With Microsoft

Windows 11 Pro's built-in automation tool makes it easy for all users to offload routine tasks. Here's how it works.

An image of a Windows 11 desktop with windows for Steam, Wallpaper Engine, and Aseprite overlaid.

Some of my favorite Steam apps aren't games — What's your top choice?

By Cale Hunt published

PC gaming Steam has more than 100,000 games it wants to sell you, but some of the platform's most popular listings aren't games at all. Here are five that I don't regret adding to my collection.

PC gaming
Three Dell laptops are on a wooden table with American flag decorations. One displays a colorful abstract graphic, another a website, and a third shows a skydiver photo. A "Memorial Day Sale" tag is in the foreground, creating a festive and tech-focused atmosphere.

Dell's Memorial Day laptop deals start at just $529

By Cale Hunt published

Deals Dell is currently blowing out a bunch of its laptops during Memorial Day weekend, and I found the 5 best sales that start at just $529 for a limited time.

Deals
A purple Xbox Controller in front of a Geekom mini PC.

Xbox stick drift could be solved with this free tool

By Cale Hunt published

Xbox Stick drift plagues countless Xbox and PC gamers, and it's not always an easy fix. That's hopefully changing now that DriftGuard has added full calibration support for ALL Xbox gamepads.

11 Comments
Xbox
Memorial Day Savings Spectacular banner for Best Buy featuring three Dell laptops with vibrant screens. Background includes fireworks, stars, and red, white, and blue colors. Text highlights unbeatable laptop deals and limited time offer.

Not even Dell can beat Best Buy's Memorial Day laptop sales

By Cale Hunt published

Deals Memorial Day weekend is home to plenty of tech deals, and Best Buy actually has some better prices than Dell when it comes to Dell's own laptops.

Deals
A Surface Laptop 8 displays a digital face blending with circuit patterns, under a magnifying glass highlighting an eye, symbolizing technology and digital surveillance.

Why is the Surface Laptop 8's privacy screen better than the others? I found out.

By Cale Hunt published

Laptops I took a trip into the Windows Central archives to find out how laptop privacy screens have evolved over the years.

Laptops
A Maingear MG-1 MK.II gaming PC with RGB lighting illuminates the interior. It features a GeForce RTX graphics card and vibrant cooling fans, creating a futuristic vibe.

Review: Does Maingear's MG-1 MK.II gaming pre-built address the right issues?

By Cale Hunt published

Review Maingear sent me its new MG-1 MK.II pre-built gaming PC to test, and oh boy, is it a beauty.

Review
A laptop with a colorful backlit keyboard is open on a dark wooden table. The screen displays the "Copilot" logo on a red gradient background.

I asked; you answered. Does AI have a place in gaming?

By Cale Hunt published

Gaming Copilot might have been rolled back on Xbox and mobile, but AI in gaming isn't going anywhere.

Gaming
Acer Aspire TC-1775-UR11 review

You don't have to spend a lot to get a quality desktop computer

By Cale Hunt last updated

PC Desktop computers aren't known for being cheap, but there are affordable options that pack a punch. My top picks will help you find your next budget PC.

PC
Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 on a desk and connected to a monitor.

These pre-built desktop PCs are the best we've tested

By Cale Hunt last updated

Hardware Pre-built PCs come in many shapes and sizes, from budget options for homework to premium builds with power for gaming. Here are the best we've reviewed.

Hardware
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

How does the new Surface Pro for Business (12th Edition) compare to older models?

By Cale Hunt published

Surface Microsoft's two-stage Surface Pro launch is confusing. Let me clear things up.

Surface
Split image showing two laptops: one open with a blue abstract design on the screen, the other partially closed. A colorful logo is centered over the image.

How does the new Surface Laptop 8 compare to the Surface Laptop 7?

By Cale Hunt published

Surface The Surface Laptop for Business (8th Edition) has launched, but before you run out and buy one, I have some details about what exactly is new (and why you should probably wait).

Surface
A widescreen monitor on a wooden desk displays the vibrant "Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty" menu, featuring neon lights and a futuristic cityscape.

I tested Alienware's $349 QD-OLED gaming monitor, and it's better than I expected

By Cale Hunt published

Review Alienware's AW2726DM is an easy recommendation for anyone who needs a $349 QD-OLED gaming monitor. It does come with some concessions to meet that price, and I explain them here.

Review
An animated character with a large nose looks out of a window at a microchip labeled "Snapdragon X2." Blue stripes and a warm color palette set a humorous tone.

One month with Snapdragon X2 made me a believer

By Cale Hunt published

Laptops I got my first extended taste of a Snapdragon X2 Elite chip, and I can't believe how well it went. Here are a few things you should know if you're considering a new laptop with Qualcomm's silicon.

15 Comments
Laptops
Two sleek laptops with an alien logo are set against a cosmic backdrop of stars and galaxies, conveying a futuristic and high-tech feel.

Is the new Alienware 15 actually a better deal than the Aurora 16?

By Cale Hunt published

PC gaming The new Alienware 15 is the most affordable gaming laptop in the family, but how does it compare to the next best Alienware 16 Aurora? Let's find out.

PC gaming
A laptop screen displays a Windows Update notification against a flower-themed wallpaper. Indoor plants are visible on a wooden stand nearby.

Why Windows 11 update sizes are growing and what’s actually causing it

By Cale Hunt published

Windows Windows 11 updates have ballooned up to 5GB and beyond, and many users assume that it's AI that's mainly contributing to the bloat. Here's what's actually causing sizes to increase.

Windows
Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4 RAM package stands before vibrant flames, exuding intensity and power. Crucial RAM sticks lie in front, emphasizing tech prowess.

Top 5 RAM scams to watch out for when buying in 2026

By Cale Hunt published

PC build RAM prices remain out of control, and bad actors are taking advantage of honest buyers with a wide range of scams. Here's how they work and how you can protect yourself next time you buy memory.

PC build
Minecraft Village and Pillage Update

Pick one of these pre-built PCs if you want to play Minecraft

By Cale Hunt last updated

PC gaming Java and Bedrock versions of Minecraft have low PC system requirements, but that doesn't mean a more powerful PC can't make the experience far better. Here are the best pre-built PCs for Minecraft.

PC gaming
A sleek laptop with a vibrant purple flower on the screen sits on a wooden table. Books and framed art surround it, evoking a cozy, intellectual atmosphere.

Lenovo's Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) is an outstanding laptop, mainly thanks to Snapdragon's X2 Elite

By Cale Hunt published

Review The Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) should be a top choice for students, small business pros, and even casual Windows users who want a premium laptop starting at $1,199.

Review
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives