Surface Laptop 7 makes a comeback, Minecraft gets a visual boost, & Xbox experiences a leak

Last week, Microsoft maintained a low profile in terms of new announcements, but things were heating up in the world of Windows and Xbox as temperatures rose across the northern half of the globe.

Over the past several days, Amazon flagged the Surface Laptop 7 on its page, Mojang revealed a significant visual overhaul coming to Minecraft, and HP rolled out an impressive lineup of 25 new devices.

### Surface Laptop 7: A Return with Caveats

Amazon has recently begun alerting potential buyers of the Surface Laptop 7 about its high return rate. It’s not every day that an online retailer issues a warning about a product, but now, customers are being advised to carefully check reviews and do their homework before clicking “buy.”

The reasons behind these returns remain unspecified, which leaves us guessing whether it’s dissatisfaction or hardware issues at play. For a flagship product in the Surface lineup, this isn’t the best of looks for Microsoft. The device has received positive feedback from tech critics and sports decent ratings on Amazon, but the presence of a cautionary label certainly raises eyebrows—or at least brings up a yellow box on-screen.

### Exciting Visuals for Minecraft

A new update for Minecraft is in the works, enhancing visuals while keeping the core gameplay intact. Dubbed “Vibrant Visuals,” the update was part of the buzz at Minecraft Live last week.

If you’re fond of Minecraft’s classic aesthetic, fear not! The beloved blocky charm stays put, while things like textures, lighting, and reflections get a snazzy upgrade. This revamped look will hit Minecraft: Bedrock Edition soon, with a Java release to follow.

Past visual updates for Minecraft have faced delays or even cancellations, so while the excitement is palpable, some skepticism lingers about this vibrant promise.

### Xbox and Steam: A Potential Integration?

Leaked details suggest Microsoft might be reimagining the Xbox app on Windows 11, potentially ushering in a tighter integration with your Steam library. Previously spotted on a Microsoft blog before disappearing, this mysterious Steam filter hints at a possible revamp of the Xbox app’s library section on PCs.

With the graphic taken down swiftly, details remain scarce. Android dreams or a looming interface overhaul? Time will tell.

### HP’s Grand Announcement: A Slew of New PCs

During its Amplify conference, HP lifted the veil on a whopping 25 new devices, encompassing everything from laptops and All-in-One desktops to mini PCs and gaming laptops.

While I won’t dive into each device here, you can check out Rebecca Spear’s comprehensive roundup of HP’s latest lineup, which includes standouts like the EliteStudio 8 AiO G1i and the OmniBook 7 Aero 13.

Among these, the EliteStudio 8 AiO G1i caught some eyes, and our Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Rubino, has taken it for a spin. Spoiler: He wishes he had it back in his school days.

### Dive Deep with the Windows Central Podcast

Dive into the tech world’s latest happenings with our own Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden in the Windows Central Podcast. They cover recent news, provide industry insights, and share their firsthand impressions of the latest gadgets each week.

### Reviews and Recommendations

Our team regularly puts the latest gadgets through their paces. Recently, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld stood out, scoring an impressive 4.5 out of 5 for its performance, remarkable display, Hall Effect joysticks, and robust speakers.

### Deals of the Week: Tech Savings

We absolutely love tech, but we’re not keen on the sticker shock. Check out this week’s selection of deals to snag savings on games, consoles, accessories, and more!