The reborn Commodore 64 is an astonishing remake—but daunting if you weren’t there the first time around.

MIT and Stanford professor Alex “Sandy” Pentland joins the show to explore the power of communities for shared knowledge and how AI could hurt or help the growth of these communities.

Windows Latest is back with yet another Lenovo leak, and this time it’s all about the company’s Windows on ARM laptops for CES 2026. We obtained the full specifications of Lenovo laptops running Qualcomm’s newly announced Snapdragon X2 series SoCs.

The company has four new Copilot+ PCs with ARM, including the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, IdeaPad Slim 5x 13”, and 15”. All fit the thin and light moniker that ARM laptops are known for, and support touch screens as well.

According to our sources, these upcoming Lenovo devices will run on Snapdragon X2 Elite and Snapdragon X2 Plus processors. Interestingly, we didn’t see the flagship X2 Elite Xtreme chip in the mix, and it’s the yet-to-be announced X2 Plus that’s getting all the love from Lenovo, with three models from the popular IdeaPad series.

Note that Lenovo’s ThinkPad series for 2026, leaked by Windows Latest, shows no sign of Snapdragon chipsets, and as expected, the Legion gaming series for 2026 also doesn’t have any variants powered by the ARM chipset.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x with Snapdragon X2 Elite

Based on the information shared with Windows Latest, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (14”, 11) is positioned as the most premium Snapdragon-powered laptop in Lenovo’s CES 2026 Windows on ARM lineup.

It runs on up to the Snapdragon X2 Elite series processor, specifically the 18-core X2E88100 variant, and is clearly aimed at users who want maximum performance without sacrificing portability.

Our sources describe the Yoga Slim 7x as a true thin-and-light machine, weighing just 1.17kg and measuring 13.9mm thick. Despite the slim profile, it’s said to handle demanding workloads like multitasking, AI modeling, and sustained productivity both on battery and while plugged in, which is a highlight of Windows on ARM laptops.

In fact, battery life is one of the headline claims here, with up to 29 hours on a single charge listed in the specifications we received.

Display and camera hardware also stand out in this model. The Yoga Slim 7x features up to a 2.8K PureSight Pro OLED panel with HDR peak brightness reaching 1100 nits, which, although not as impressive as the Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition, is still suitable for both indoor work and outdoor visibility.

There’s a 9MP MIPI IR webcam, which is unusually high-resolution for a thin laptop, especially since the top-of-the-line Yoga series for CES 2026 comes with a 5MP web camera. However, it’s still lower resolution than the ThinkPad series for 2026, which will rock 10MP cameras on most models, as we leaked earlier.

Pricing for the Yoga Slim 7x for 2026 is estimated to start at $949.99 USD, with availability expected from Q2 2026.

Note: The specifications mentioned here are just one of the configurations we obtained, likely to be the top spec variant, and there might be other configurations that we are unaware of.

Full specifications of Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (14″, 11)

Dimensions & Weight	12.28″ x 8.70″ x 0.55″ 312 x 221 x as thin as 13.9mm Starting at 2.58 lbs.
Display	Up to 14″ 2.8K (2880 x 1800) 120Hz VRR, 16:10, PureSight Pro OLED 1100 nits peak brightness 100% sRGB, 100% P3, 99% Adobe RGB Delta E < 1, Dolby Vision®, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000 TÜV Low Blue Light, Eyesafe®, TÜV Flicker-free Touch optional
Processor	Snapdragon® X2 Elite X2E88100 Processor 18C
Graphics	UMA
AI Definition	Copilot+ PC
Memory	Up to 32GB LPDDR5X Dual Channel, 9600MT/s
Storage	Up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Battery	70WHr Rapid Charge Boost: 15 minutes = 2 hours LVP ~30 hours (target)
Power Adapter	65W Type-C
Keyboard & Touchpad	1.5mm key travel + 0.3mm dish Backlit keyboard 135 x 80mm glass touchpad
Camera	9MP MIPI webcam IR camera, E-camera shutter 4 Voice ID microphones
Ports	Left: 2 x USB4 Right: 1 x USB4
Audio	4 stereo speakers (2x2W woofers + 2x2W tweeters) Dolby Atmos®, Smart AMP
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Colors	Cosmic Blue

 

Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 (14”, 11) with Snapdragon X2

From what our sources say, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 (14”, 11) Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC for CES 2026 also has an AMD-powered sibling (up to the Ryzen AI 7 445 processor), as we leaked earlier.

However, the ARM device, although being a convertible, is positioned as a more mainstream and flexible device, especially since the device has dual-slot RAM and an upgradable SSD, which is interesting for a Snapdragon laptop.

Our sources say the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus platform rather than the Elite tier, which explains its placement in Lenovo’s IdeaPad lineup instead of Yoga or ThinkPad.

The 360-degree hinge allows it to switch between laptop and tablet modes, for typing, productivity, watching content, drawing, or writing notes, using the included Lenovo Linear Pen 2 (AES 3.0), which has both tilt and pressure sensitivity.

From the specifications we obtained, the 14-inch touchscreen display sits in the everyday premium category with up to WUXGA (1920 x 1200) OLED, 400 nits, and VESA Certified HDR. Camera hardware is the basic FHD unit with an IR setup for Windows Hello.

Interestingly, the next-gen Ryzen-powered IdeaPad 5a 2-in-1 with a battery capacity of up to 84Wh, unlike the 60Wh of the X2 Plus-powered IdeaPad 5X 2-in-1.

We do not have information about the pricing of the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, but it will likely undercut the Yoga Slim 7x, as we already know that the AMD version will start at $799 USD. However, we are not sure when this convertible ARM laptop will be available for sale.

Note: The specifications mentioned here are just one of the configurations we obtained, likely to be the top spec variant, and there might be other configurations that we are unaware of.

Full specifications of Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 (14″, 11)

Dimensions & Weight	12.27″ x 8.86″ x as thin as 0.69″ 311.6 x 224.9 x as thin as 17.4mm Starting at 3.13 lbs. (1.42kg)
Display	Up to 14″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) OLED 16:10, 400 nits, 60Hz 100% DCI-P3 VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 TÜV low blue light 10-finger touch
Processor	Snapdragon X2 Plus Series Platform
Graphics	UMA
AI Definition	Copilot+ PC
Memory	Up to 32GB LPDDR5X 9523MT/s (Dual Channel)
Storage	Up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 Expandable second slot (2242/2280)
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro / Home
Battery	60Whr
Power Adapter	65W Type-C
Keyboard & Touchpad	1.3mm key travel White backlight (2-level) 120 x 75mm Mylar touchpad Lenovo Pen Gen 2 (AES 3.0)
Camera	FHD IR camera with privacy shutter
Ports	Right: Power button, 2x USB-A 5Gb/s, Micro SD Card reader Left: 2x USB-C Gen 2 (DP1.4 + PD3.0 + USB) 10Gb/s, 1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS, 1x Audio combo jack
Audio	2 x 2W SLS speakers, Dolby Audio™
Connectivity	Up to Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Colors	Luna Grey

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (13”, 11) and IdeaPad Slim 5x (15”, 11) with Snapdragon X2 Plus

It seems like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x lineup is the company’s most straightforward path to make Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops feel normal and accessible in 2026.

Our sources revealed that both the 13-inch and 15-inch models run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus platform, and as expected, the focus is on thin-and-light portability, all-day battery life, and an all-metal design.

Battery life is one of the main talking points here, with up to 21 hours listed for the Slim 5x models. Rapid Charge Boost is also supported, allowing up to two hours of usage from just 15 minutes of charging, which is a practical touch for people constantly on the move.

The IdeaPad Slim 5x (13”, 11) is the more travel-friendly option, starting at around 1.2kg and measuring just 14mm thick, making it one of the lightest Snapdragon X2 laptops Lenovo plans to ship for CES 2026. However, our sources say this model will only be available in select markets, and pricing details are unclear for now.

The larger IdeaPad Slim 5x (15”, 11) trades some portability for a bigger screen and richer visuals. It can be configured with up to a 2.5K OLED display, which is notable for a non-Yoga, non-ThinkPad ARM laptop. That alone makes it stand out as a more media-friendly Snapdragon option. Pricing for the 15-inch model is estimated to start at $899 USD, with availability expected from Q2 2026.

Note: The specifications mentioned here are just one of the configurations we obtained, likely to be the top spec variant, and there might be other configurations that we are unaware of.

Full specifications of Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (13″, 11)

Dimensions & Weight	11.64″ x 8.15″ x as thin as 0.56″ 295.58 x 206.95 x as thin as 14.3mm Starting at 2.62 lbs. (1.19kg)
Display	13.3″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) LCD 16:10, 400 nits, 60Hz 100% sRGB TÜV low blue light, Eyesafe 10-finger touch
Processor	Snapdragon X2 Plus Series Platform
Graphics	UMA
AI Definition	Copilot+ PC
Memory	Up to 32GB LPDDR5X 9600MT/s Dual Channel
Storage	Up to 1TB Gen 4 2242
Operating System	Windows 11 Home / Pro
Battery	Up to 54WHr
Power Adapter	65W Type-C
Keyboard & Touchpad	1.3mm key travel Backlit keyboard 120 x 75mm Mylar touchpad
Camera	FHD IR camera with privacy shutter
Ports	Right: Power button, Micro SD, 1x USB3.2-Type A (Always on) Gen 1, 1x USB3.2-Type A Gen 1 Left: HDMI 2.1 TMDS, 2x USB-C DP1.4 + PD3.0 10GB/s, Audio jack, One Key Recovery
Audio	2 x 2W speakers, Dolby Audio™
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Colors	Cloud Grey

 

Full specifications of Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (15″, 11)

Dimensions & Weight	13.36″ x 9.29″ x as thin as 0.61″ 339.33 x 236 x as thin as 15.6mm Starting at 3.11 lbs. (1.41kg)
Display	Up to 15.3″ 2.5K (2560 x 1600) OLED 16:10, 500 nits, 165Hz 100% DCI-P3 VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 TÜV low blue light 10-finger touch
Processor	Snapdragon X2 Plus Series Platform
Graphics	UMA
AI Definition	Copilot+ PC
Memory	Up to 32GB LPDDR5X 9600MT/s Dual Channel
Storage	Up to 1TB Gen 4 2242
Operating System	Windows 11 Home / Pro
Battery	Up to 70WHr
Power Adapter	65W Type-C
Keyboard & Touchpad	1.3mm key travel Backlit keyboard 135 x 80mm glass touchpad
Camera	FHD IR camera with privacy shutter
Ports	Right: Power button, Micro SD, 2x USB-A Gen 1 (one always-on) Left: HDMI 2.1 TMDS, 2x USB-C DP1.4 + PD3.0, Audio jack, One Key Recovery
Audio	2 x 2W speakers, Dolby Audio™
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Colors	Cloud Grey

 

With this Snapdragon X2-powered lineup, Lenovo looks to be doubling down on Windows on ARM for everyday thin-and-light notebooks, but it’s sad how the company continues to steer its more experimental and performance-oriented hardware toward Intel instead. We’re glad to see AMD Ryzen AI 400 series getting to power some Legion gaming series for 2026.

Recent leaks from Windows Latest showed that Lenovo’s Legion Pro Rollable gaming laptop, with a horizontally expanding display and an Intel Core Ultra processor, is targeting a radically different segment of the market compared to these Snapdragon models.

Likewise, the ThinkPad lineup for 2026, including devices like the ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist Concept and other Aura Edition flagships, all get Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips.

In that context, it’s a bit disappointing not to see something like a Yoga Pro 9i-class transition to Snapdragon X2 Elite Xtreme, especially given how important premium performance is for Lenovo’s flagships.

That being said, Qualcomm’s X2 chips were only announced late last year, and OEM product cycles lag behind chip releases, so there’s room for announcements later in 2026.

For now, Lenovo’s Snapdragon X2 devices for CES seem focused on practical, mainstream notebooks with good battery life, rather than cutting-edge performance. We’ll continue tracking any further Snapdragon laptop leaks as they surface.

The post Exclusive: Lenovo has Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2-E88-100) and X2 Plus PCs up its sleeve for CES 2026 appeared first on Windows Latest

Meta says it'll keep Manus running independently while weaving its agents into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, where Meta's own chatbot, Meta AI, is already available to users.

Beta 27 is a landmark release. With 13 new features, 16 bug fixes, and foundational refactoring for SSR and AOT compilation, this update touches nearly every corner of Aurelia 2. Whether you’re managing complex state, building virtualized lists, or waiting for server-side rendering support, there’s something substantial here for you.

SSR and AOT on the Horizon

Fred ( @fkleuver ) has been laying the groundwork for server-side rendering and ahead-of-time compilation. Beta 27 includes several internal refactors that pave the way for these features: AST nodes converted to interfaces for easier serialization ( #2309 ), numeric instruction discriminants for smaller payloads ( #2329 ), and a simplified template compiler ( #2310 ).

What Is Sharding in Azure SQL Database?

Sharding is the technique of splitting a large dataset horizontally across multiple independent databases—called shards. Every shard contains the same schema but holds only a subset of the data. This approach allows an application to scale out nearly indefinitely because storage, compute load, and network demand are distributed across multiple database nodes rather than centralized in one.

 

Azure SQL Database is an excellent fit for sharding due to its ability to rapidly provision databases, near-zero administration, built‑in resilience, and compatibility with modern client‑side sharding libraries such as the Azure Elastic Scale APIs.

Benefits of Sharding in Azure SQL Database

1. Massive Scalability

When an application’s dataset becomes too large for a single database—either for storage or throughput—sharding makes it possible to scale horizontally. Each new shard adds additional compute and storage capacity.

2. Performance Optimization

Since each shard holds a smaller portion of the overall data, queries run faster due to reduced dataset size per shard. Applications can direct queries to the correct shard based on the shard key, bypassing unnecessary scanning.

3. Reduction in Hotspots

Through proper shard key selection, load is distributed evenly. Hash‑based or lookup-based strategies prevent one database from receiving a disproportionate amount of traffic.

4. Geo‑Distribution

Sharding makes it easy to locate data geographically close to users—essential for global applications that require compliance with data residency regulations or low-latency access.

5. Fault Isolation

A failure in one shard does not bring down the entire application. Each shard operates independently, improving system resilience and uptime.

6. Cost Efficiency

Instead of scaling up to high‑end hardware, you scale out using the cloud’s consumption model—pay only for the shards you need.

 

Common Sharding Strategies in Azure SQL

1. Hash-Based Sharding

Data is distributed using a hash of a shard key (e.g., customer ID), ensuring even spread.
✔️ Great for load balancing
❌ Harder to rebalance data later

2. Range-Based Sharding

Data partitions are defined by ordered ranges—for example, user IDs 1–10000 go to Shard 1, 10001–20000 to Shard 2.
✔️ Useful for time-series and range queries
❌ Risk of hotspots

3. Directory-/Lookup-Based Sharding

An external shard map stores which shard holds which data key.
✔️ Supports flexible movement of data
✔️ Foundation of Azure Elastic Scale

Distributing Data Across Multiple Shards in Azure SQL Database

Azure provides tooling known as Elastic Database Tools (Elastic Scale)—a client library that simplifies shard management, shard maps, and routing queries to the correct shard. This ensures that your application doesn’t need custom routing logic for every query.

Step‑by‑Step Sharding Example (Conceptual)

1. Create a Shard Map Manager Database

This stores metadata mapping shard keys → shard databases.

-- Example: create shard map database CREATE DATABASE ShardMapManagerDB;

2. Provision Shards

Each shard is a separate Azure SQL DB instance:

• CustomerShard1
• CustomerShard2
• CustomerShard3

Each shard contains identical schema.

3. Define Your Shard Key

A common choice is CustomerID.

• Customers 1–10,000 → Shard 1
• Customers 10,001–20,000 → Shard 2

4. Insert Data Based on the Shard Key

You can use your application’s routing layer or Azure’s Elastic Scale APIs:

// C# example from Microsoft Elastic Scale documentation int shardKey = customer.Id; using (SqlConnection conn = await shardMap.OpenConnectionForKeyAsync(shardKey, ConnectionString)) { SqlCommand cmd = conn.CreateCommand(); cmd.CommandText = @"INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerId, Name) VALUES (@id, Name)"; cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@id", customer.Id); cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@name", customer.Name); await cmd.ExecuteNonQueryAsync(); }

5. Querying Across Shards (Fan-Out Querying)

Elastic Scale supports multi‑shard queries. The library automatically:

1. Opens parallel connections to all shards
2. Executes the query
3. Aggregates results

This is helpful for dashboards, reporting, and analytics.

Best Practices for Azure SQL Database Sharding

• Pick a stable shard key—changing it means moving lots of data.

• Monitor shard sizes to prevent imbalances.

• Avoid cross-shard transactions; design your model so most queries use a single shard.

• Use Elastic Scale split/merge tools when rebalancing becomes necessary.

• Use Azure Functions or background jobs to orchestrate shard maintenance.

 

When Should You Use Sharding?

Sharding is recommended when:

• Your data volume exceeds what a single Azure SQL DB can store.
• Query performance slows due to dataset size.
• Your application has multi‑tenant workloads (B2B SaaS).
• You need global distribution and localized storage.
• Your system must support millions of concurrent users.

If vertical scaling alone can’t meet performance needs, sharding becomes a strategic necessity rather than an optimization.

 

Conclusion

Azure SQL Database sharding is a powerful, cloud‑native strategy that unlocks near‑infinite scalability, high availability, and improved performance for large-scale applications. With the help of Azure Elastic Scale tools, implementing sharding becomes far more manageable, enabling developers and architects to focus on application logic rather than complex routing infrastructure.

Whether you’re building a SaaS platform with thousands of tenants or a global consumer app with millions of users, sharding is your gateway to true horizontal scale.