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Jacob Roach

Jacob Roach

Lead Reporter, PC Hardware

Jacob Roach is the lead reporter for PC hardware at Digital Trends. In addition to covering the latest PC components, from graphics cards to processors to PC cases, Jacob also leads the ReSpec column and newsletter that covers the intersection of PC hardware and gaming. If it's something you can plug into a gaming PC, there's a good chance Jacob has used it.

Although Jacob is interested in just about anything in or around a PC, he's currently reporting on graphics cards, PC game optimization, and gaming monitors. At Digital Trends, he's dug deep on the untold origins of the Steam Deck, uncovered the truth behind poor PC port optimization, and broke the story on Microsoft's Bing Chat going off the rails.

Before joining Digital Trends, Jacob contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and PC Invasion, among various other outlets. Jacob has been a guest on TWiT and NBC, and his work has been cited in Fox News, Futurism, and Business Insider.

As if tinkering with the latest PC hardware wasn't enough, Jacob spends most of his free time living the PC gamer life he writes about so frequently. That includes playing the latest games, but also poking around on his PC to see what he can break, just to see how it works. When he gets a moment to step outside and "touch grass," Jacob enjoys tabletop games, wandering the shops of St. Louis, and forcing his lazy Corgi onto walks.

Doom Eternal on the Asus ROG XG27AQDMG.

These were the 5 most exciting monitors I saw at Computex 2024

There were some massive announcements at Computex 2024, including a suite of new, exciting gaming monitors.
The Surface Laptop shown in front of a Copilot+ sign.

Microsoft is warping the PC industry into something unrecognizable

Computex proved that Microsoft has a lot more power over AMD and Intel than we normally give it credit for.
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ sitting on a pedestal with its name badge underneath.

MSI’s sequel to the Claw handheld is a major redesign, and I saw it in the flesh

Just months after the MSI Claw launched, the company already has a second version in the works that's launching later this year. And I saw it at Computex.
An Intel executive holding a Lunar Lake CPU.

The Intel we know is dead, but its new Lunar Lake chips are very much alive

Lunar Lake is more than just a new generation of Intel, and our first look at the chips shows that clearly.
The Asus ROG Azoth Extreme sitting on a stand.

Asus’ new gaming keyboard is the sleeper hit of Computex 2024

Asus has a new version of the iconic ROG Azoth, and it's easily one of the most impressive pieces of tech I've seen at Computex 2024.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 sitting on a desk.

Asus is fixing the most controversial part of the Zephyrus G16

Asus is updating the wildly popular Zephyrus G16, and it goes far beyond just swapping out the Intel CPU for an AMD one.
Qualcomm's CEO presenting Snapdragon X Elite CPUs at Computex 2024.

Qualcomm is invading PCs, and says it’s ‘not going anywhere’

Qualcomm is making it clear that the Snapdragon X Elite isn't just a flash in the pan in the world of PCs.
An AMD Ryzen CPU socketed in a motherboard.

It’s the end of an era for AMD

AMD wants you to know that it's entering the new era of AI PCs, and it's shifting how it names processors to match the change.
AMD announcing its Zen 5 CPUs at Computex.

AMD just answered the question everyone’s been asking about Ryzen 9000

AMD introduced its Ryzen 9000 desktop processors at Computex 2024, and in the process, it answered two burning questions we've had.
Destiny 2 running on the Asus ROG PG42UQ.

Nvidia’s G-Assist AI assistant actually sounds incredible

Nvidia's Project G-Assist isn't a joke anymore, and the AI game assistant actually sounds shockingly useful.
The Surface Laptop running local AI models.

Nvidia and Microsoft are solving a big problem with Copilot+

Nvidia and Microsoft are working together to get over the major hurdle facing Copilot+ PCs right now.
The RTX 4070 sitting on top of another GPU.

Don’t upgrade your GPU until you’ve read this

With new graphics cards arriving shortly from AMD, Nvidia, and Intel, you might be in the market for an upgrade. Don't make these mistakes.
The ROG Ally X running Armored Core VI.

I tested the ROG Ally X — and it’s a signficant upgrade

I had a chance to use the new Asus ROG Ally X at Computex 2024, and it's a bigger upgrade than you're probably expecting.
The Asus ROG Ally X playing Armored Core VI.

Asus is axing one major feature with the ROG Ally X

The Asus ROG Ally X is official, but it ditches one of the most unique aspects of the original handheld gaming PC.
The Acer Predator X27 F3 sitting on a table.

Acer is finally back in the gaming monitor fight

Acer's new X27U F3 OLED gaming monitor puts the brand back at the forefront of the gaming monitor conversation.
Computex 2024 logo.

Full coverage of Computex, the world’s biggest computing conference

Computex is the world's biggest computing conference, taking place each year in Taipei, Taiwan. The event this year will take place from June 3 to June 7, showcasing the best new tech in the world of PCs. All the big players will be there, including AMD, Intel, and Nvidia, as well as the supporting ecosystem of new laptops, monitors, components, PC accessories, and much more. We'll be there on the show floor in Taipei covering all the big announcements and new products with in-depth reporting, hands-on coverage, and first looks.
An Asus gaming monitor sitting on a table.

Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG review: an incredible, glossy OLED monitor

Brighter, cheaper, and with a glossy coating in tow, the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG manages to address the pain points with OLED gaming monitors.
msi claw review 07

MSI Claw review: the latest updates aren’t enough

The MSI Claw shows some promise with its quality build and speakers, but there are far too many problems for it to earn a recommendation.
Computex 2024 logo.

I’m attending the world’s biggest PC show next week. Here’s why I’m so excited

Computex 2024 will be massive, and we already have some hints as to what will be at the show. Here are the main announcements we expect to see.
The Corsair One i500 sitting on a coffee table.

I hate prebuilt gaming PCs — but the Corsair One i500 changed my mind

The Corsair One i500 is an expensive gaming PC, but it still manages to feel worth every penny.
Graphics card in the CLX Hathor PC.

These are the 10 best gaming PCs I’d recommend to anyone

We've reviewed dozens of gaming desktops, but only a select few are worthy of making it among the best gaming PCs in 2024.
The Dell XPS 13 in front of a window.

Dell is hiding something about the new XPS 13

The upcoming XPS 13 already includes an impressive list of specs, but Dell hid the most exciting aspect of this device.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 sitting on a table.

Microsoft is adding a controversial app to Windows 11

A new Windows 11 build rolling out to Windows Insiders suggests Microsoft is adding a controversial app as a default within the operating system.
DDR5 memory installed into a motherboard.

A massive PC upgrade could arrive in 2025

A new rumor about DDR6 is making the rounds, and it could show up in your gaming PC sooner than you might expect.
A person using the Dell UltraSharp 40 U4025QW 40-inch curved Thunderbolt hub monitor with a Dell laptop on a desk.

The 10 best monitors for 2024: tested and reviewed

Only a handful of displays stand out as the best monitors. These are the ones that deserve your attention and investment.
Counter Strike running on the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM.

AMD’s free Radeon feature gives you a competitive edge

AMD revealed Anti-Lag 2, which is an in-game latency reduction feature that the company says provides 95% more latency reduction than the original version.
The Surface Laptop shown in front of a Copilot+ sign.

The first Copilot+ PC has been tested — and it destroys the MacBook

We can finally put some hard numbers to Microsoft's bold claims about Copilot+ PCs, and it looks like the MacBook is in trouble.
A man plays High on Life on an Asus ROG Ally.

Whatever you do, don’t buy the Asus ROG Ally right now

Asus' ROG Ally is still one of the best handheld PCs you can buy, but it's definitely one of the worst times to pick one up.
noctua desk fan home line

Noctua just released a product everyone thought was dead

The Noctua community thought its highly anticipated desk fan was dead, but the Austrian PC cooling brand is bringing it back to life.
The new Surface Pro on a table.

The real reason behind Copilot+ PCs goes far beyond just AI

Microsoft is kicking off a new era with Copilot+ PCs, but despite AI being all the rage in 2024, the Copilot+ push is about more than that.
Portal RTX running on the Surface Laptop Studio 2.

Microsoft has a killer answer for DLSS with Copilot+

The new Auto SR feature available in Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs puts upscaling in your operating system, and it could have a big impact.
Microsoft introducing the Recall feature in Windows 11.

Sorry, Microsoft — I don’t want Copilot+ reading my DMs yet

Copilot+ PCs can track everything you do to provide helpful context, but I'm not convinced the new devices are free of issues quite yet.
Intel Arc A770 GPU installed in a test bench.

Intel Battlemage graphics cards: release date speculation, price, specs, and more

We've known about Intel's Battlemage graphics cards for a few years, but in 2024, details are starting to emerge about the release date, specs, and performance.
A Dell XPS 13 Plus viewed from the side.

Dell is doing something it’s never done before to the XPS 13

Dell is flipping the XPS 13 on its head by adding a new Snapdragon X Elite chip and a suite of AI features.