The energy in Taipei was palpable as Computex 2025 roared to life, with banners heralding AI-driven revolutions and bustling crowds pouring into exhibition halls under relentless May sun. This year’s show, running from May 20 to 23, was eagerly anticipated as the inflection point for several big trends: AI at the edge, energy-efficient semiconductors, and a new generation of ultra-fast, immersive devices. Yet, alongside the undeniable innovation radiating from giants like Nvidia and AMD, a distinct sense of absence and unfulfilled promise persisted among enthusiasts and industry insiders—a feeling that resonated as much in the exhibition halls as it did on tech forums across the globe.
It’s impossible to ignore the marquee names and bold launches that did set the tone at Computex 2025. Nvidia’s unveiling of the GeForce RTX 5060 GPU, boasting what CEO Jensen Huang called “the most significant leap in mainstream AI graphics to date,” set a high bar. According to live demos and preliminary third-party analyses, the 5060’s AI-accelerated rendering and energy efficiency push the envelope for mainstream gaming and creative work. Similarly, AMD’s RX 9060 XT made headlines, touting deep learning acceleration and next-gen Ray Tracing, while their Ryzen AI Max+ chips continued AMD’s push into the heart of AI-enhanced personal computing. Qualcomm, not wanting to be left out, showcased Snapdragon AI Edge platforms, focused on bringing powerful inference to everything from wearables to industrial devices.
Notably, displays also saw leaps: HKC’s headline-grabbing 750Hz gaming monitor drew crowds with silky-smooth motion and virtually zero input lag, promising to redefine expectations for esports-ready gear. Acer, taking a slightly different angle, introduced AI-powered wearables capable of real-time health and fitness analysis, a sign that edge AI is ready to make inroads in personal wellness.
Analysts contend that Intel’s cautious approach may stem from ongoing challenges in adapting manufacturing nodes or finalizing next-gen architectural changes—a claim reinforced by recent supply chain reports and the company’s shifting timelines for rollout. The absence of substance left many partners and journalists speculating whether the roadmap is on track or if delays are brewing behind closed doors. For the wider Windows ecosystem, which relies on clear CPU roadmaps to fuel device planning and market forecasting, this uncertainty may cause hesitation in the quarters ahead.
Industry insiders suggest a number of possible reasons for this. Some point to Samsung’s recent strategic retreats and a focus on direct-to-partner events rather than global trade shows. Others cite internal product delays or a desire to avoid being overshadowed in a year where Nvidia and AMD had clearly commanded the narrative. Either way, Samsung’s absence left the field open for rivals and contributed to the sense that Computex is, for now, less a battleground for titans than expected.
Several factors may underlie this hesitance. On the one hand, silicon supply for dedicated AI accelerators in mainstream price brackets remains challenged by both costs and demand forecasting. On the other, the ecosystem of AI-enhanced applications for average PC users—spanning productivity, entertainment, and security—may not be mature enough for mass deployment. Regardless of the rationale, the “missing middle” leaves average buyers and home office users on the sidelines, waiting for the real democratization of AI computing.
This year, however, was different. Large players, especially Nvidia and AMD, dominated not just headlines but prime exhibition space, with startups relegated to back corners or absorbed into partner showcases. Numerous attendees reported almost “no visibility” for the kind of startup-led disruption that once made Computex a favorite for indie tech fans and investors. This shift raises uncomfortable questions about access, diversity of innovation, and whether trade shows, pressured by rising costs and vendor consolidation, are retreating from their role as champions of the next big thing.
Preparatory buzz suggested Nvidia or AMD might partner with leading game studios to push real-time cinematic rendering, or that edge-AI specialists would demo next-gen healthcare applications with device manufacturers. None of this materialized on stage or behind closed doors. The consequence is twofold: not only do such collaborations excite both developers and investors, they help customers see the practical, ecosystem-wide relevance of new hardware. Their absence dampens the sense of momentum around transformative use cases.
No major foldable innovations broke cover beyond incremental panel improvements. Quantum computing and photonic processors—fields buzzing with both venture capital and academic interest—were absent or limited to underpublicized academic posters. And the much-anticipated “next-gen VR headsets” failed to make an appearance, possibly delayed by production challenges or strategic marketing shifts tied to separate events later in the year.
This growing concentration of attention echoes broader trends throughout the tech industry: as capital, talent, and buzz coalesce around a handful of big names, the room for unpredictable upstarts narrows. For the consumer, this risks a future where innovation is top-down rather than bottom-up, with less variety and slower cycles outside established platforms.
Manufacturing bottlenecks, complex new architectures (especially for AI and quantum workloads), and rapid shifts in demand (driven by AI’s ever-rising profile) mean that companies are more careful about over-promising or demoing products that aren’t production-ready. This is a prudent response to past missteps, but for attendees and observers it creates an undeniable gap between what’s hyped and what’s tangible.
This shift is likely a factor in both the missing high-profile collaborations and Samsung’s absence, as firms weigh the ROI of costly global events versus bespoke digital rollouts.
Additionally, the presence of new, AI-focused edge devices and wearables, exemplified by Acer, offers a preview of how personalized, privacy-oriented innovation might soon reach a broader market. While often overshadowed by headline PC and GPU announcements, these form the foundation of the much-hyped AI revolution’s true day-to-day value.
Similarly, the pattern of underwhelming roadmaps and vaporware-like absences raises questions about the true pace of innovation. Are these delays simply a sign of prudent caution, or do they reflect deeper systemic issues in supply chains, manufacturing readiness, or R&D?
From a consumer perspective, the lack of mass-market AI PC availability means that the AI revolution, while loudly proclaimed, is still some steps away from broad adoption. Unless costs, tooling, and software support for genuinely useful AI PC experiences improve rapidly, mainstream buyers will continue to watch from the sidelines, potentially slowing the hoped-for democratization of AI.
Finally, the silence on emergent sectors—quantum, foldable, next-generation VR—indicates either strategic withholding or a temporary plateau. Either scenario invites competitors with the resources and boldness to capitalize on untapped opportunities.
The most important takeaway for Windows enthusiasts, developers, and the wider tech audience is to temper excitement with patience. Technologies forecasted for tomorrow often take years to deliver real value, interrupted by market realities and engineering challenges. For now, the best course may be to watch both the giants and the dark horse players, looking for signals not just at trade shows but across the wider digital ecosystem.
As 2025 unfolds, the world will see whether the gaps at Computex prove to be missed opportunities or the first hints of deeper pivots yet to come. One thing is certain: the appetite for genuine, accessible, and transformative innovation has never been stronger. How soon it arrives, and who delivers it, remains the question at the heart of every major show—and every conversation about the future of Windows and beyond.
Source: Windows Report Computex 2025: The no shows & biggest misses
Prime Movers: The Triumphs on Display
It’s impossible to ignore the marquee names and bold launches that did set the tone at Computex 2025. Nvidia’s unveiling of the GeForce RTX 5060 GPU, boasting what CEO Jensen Huang called “the most significant leap in mainstream AI graphics to date,” set a high bar. According to live demos and preliminary third-party analyses, the 5060’s AI-accelerated rendering and energy efficiency push the envelope for mainstream gaming and creative work. Similarly, AMD’s RX 9060 XT made headlines, touting deep learning acceleration and next-gen Ray Tracing, while their Ryzen AI Max+ chips continued AMD’s push into the heart of AI-enhanced personal computing. Qualcomm, not wanting to be left out, showcased Snapdragon AI Edge platforms, focused on bringing powerful inference to everything from wearables to industrial devices.Notably, displays also saw leaps: HKC’s headline-grabbing 750Hz gaming monitor drew crowds with silky-smooth motion and virtually zero input lag, promising to redefine expectations for esports-ready gear. Acer, taking a slightly different angle, introduced AI-powered wearables capable of real-time health and fitness analysis, a sign that edge AI is ready to make inroads in personal wellness.
The Missing Pieces: What Didn’t Happen—and Why It Matters
Yet, beneath the glitz, casual observers and industry veterans alike couldn’t help but notice an uncanny quiet around several anticipated reveals. Many rumors—fueled in equal parts by leakers, speculative reporting, and company teasers—simply didn’t materialize. The cumulative effect was a show that, while rich in flagship tech, left specific critical gaps for certain sectors and demographics. These “no shows” carry significant implications for both the market and the direction of the industry.Intel’s Panther Lake: A Mere Tease
Among the most-discussed disappointments was Intel’s handling of the next-generation Panther Lake processors. Leading up to Computex, leaks suggested the chips would be the centerpiece of the company’s post-Lunar Lake narrative, with working prototypes and perhaps even early benchmark data ready to be unveiled. Instead, Intel limited itself to a high-level announcement: Panther Lake is confirmed as Lunar Lake’s successor and should arrive in 2026. Details, however, were scant. No live demos. No specs. No performance claims.Analysts contend that Intel’s cautious approach may stem from ongoing challenges in adapting manufacturing nodes or finalizing next-gen architectural changes—a claim reinforced by recent supply chain reports and the company’s shifting timelines for rollout. The absence of substance left many partners and journalists speculating whether the roadmap is on track or if delays are brewing behind closed doors. For the wider Windows ecosystem, which relies on clear CPU roadmaps to fuel device planning and market forecasting, this uncertainty may cause hesitation in the quarters ahead.
Samsung: A Rumored Comeback That Wasn’t
Perhaps the most glaring “no show” was Samsung’s rumored grand return. After a 13-year absence from Computex’s main stage, speculation was rampant that the Korean giant would return with a vengeance, spotlighting AI-enabled OLED displays and next-generation memory tech. Instead, Samsung’s presence was muted—virtually invisible on the show floor, with no booth, no keynotes, and certainly no major product debuts.Industry insiders suggest a number of possible reasons for this. Some point to Samsung’s recent strategic retreats and a focus on direct-to-partner events rather than global trade shows. Others cite internal product delays or a desire to avoid being overshadowed in a year where Nvidia and AMD had clearly commanded the narrative. Either way, Samsung’s absence left the field open for rivals and contributed to the sense that Computex is, for now, less a battleground for titans than expected.
No Consumer-Grade AI PCs: The Wait Continues
Another major disappointment came in the form of consumer-grade AI PC announcements—or, more precisely, the lack thereof. While major OEMs like HP, Dell, and Lenovo were expected to showcase affordable AI-powered laptops tailored for mainstream users, these products were either absent or relegated to concept-only stages. Asus and Acer did highlight several AI-enabled use cases, but their focus landed squarely on enterprise and high-end creative solutions, not the mass-market consumer gear that many users crave.Several factors may underlie this hesitance. On the one hand, silicon supply for dedicated AI accelerators in mainstream price brackets remains challenged by both costs and demand forecasting. On the other, the ecosystem of AI-enhanced applications for average PC users—spanning productivity, entertainment, and security—may not be mature enough for mass deployment. Regardless of the rationale, the “missing middle” leaves average buyers and home office users on the sidelines, waiting for the real democratization of AI computing.
Startups Squeezed Out
For over a decade, Computex has touted itself as a launchpad for startups and hardware innovators, giving plucky newcomers a chance to demo game-changing ideas alongside industry giants. In recent years, this narrative has held true—memorable gadgets, creative peripherals, and unconventional form factors emerged from small booths around the perimeter of the main exhibition halls.This year, however, was different. Large players, especially Nvidia and AMD, dominated not just headlines but prime exhibition space, with startups relegated to back corners or absorbed into partner showcases. Numerous attendees reported almost “no visibility” for the kind of startup-led disruption that once made Computex a favorite for indie tech fans and investors. This shift raises uncomfortable questions about access, diversity of innovation, and whether trade shows, pressured by rising costs and vendor consolidation, are retreating from their role as champions of the next big thing.
Cross-Industry Collaborations: Missing in Action
High-profile events like Computex are expected to deliver not just product launches but visionary cross-industry collaborations—a GPU manufacturer partnering with a top game studio for a real-time ray tracing demo, or AI chipmakers integrating with health tech companies to showcase applied AI in clinical settings. This year, such partnership announcements were notably scarce.Preparatory buzz suggested Nvidia or AMD might partner with leading game studios to push real-time cinematic rendering, or that edge-AI specialists would demo next-gen healthcare applications with device manufacturers. None of this materialized on stage or behind closed doors. The consequence is twofold: not only do such collaborations excite both developers and investors, they help customers see the practical, ecosystem-wide relevance of new hardware. Their absence dampens the sense of momentum around transformative use cases.
Ignored Horizons: Foldables, Quantum, VR
The technology world seldom stands still. In 2025, conversations around foldable displays 2.0, quantum computing prototypes, and next-generation VR have reached fever pitch. And while Computex has, in past years, served as a preview window for bleeding-edge prototypes, this year the event was largely silent on these fronts.No major foldable innovations broke cover beyond incremental panel improvements. Quantum computing and photonic processors—fields buzzing with both venture capital and academic interest—were absent or limited to underpublicized academic posters. And the much-anticipated “next-gen VR headsets” failed to make an appearance, possibly delayed by production challenges or strategic marketing shifts tied to separate events later in the year.
The Context: Interpreting the Absences
It’s tempting to pass off these omissions as quirks of the trade show cycle, but a closer look reveals both systemic pressures and deliberate choices. Three key factors seem to be shaping the Computex narrative in ways that extend well beyond the events of a single week.The Big Get Bigger
First, dominance by established giants is more pronounced than ever. As Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm scale both their technology investments and marketing presence, they command ever more attention and floor space. This isn’t just good news for their brand—it's a structural challenge for smaller players and fosters risk aversion among showrunners, who depend on predictable attendance and sponsorships.This growing concentration of attention echoes broader trends throughout the tech industry: as capital, talent, and buzz coalesce around a handful of big names, the room for unpredictable upstarts narrows. For the consumer, this risks a future where innovation is top-down rather than bottom-up, with less variety and slower cycles outside established platforms.
Roadmaps Under Pressure
Second, the relentless push for innovation is straining vendor roadmaps to the breaking point. Whether it’s Intel’s cautious rollout of Panther Lake or Samsung’s reclusive trade show presence, the span between industry expectation and what’s ready to ship seems to be widening.Manufacturing bottlenecks, complex new architectures (especially for AI and quantum workloads), and rapid shifts in demand (driven by AI’s ever-rising profile) mean that companies are more careful about over-promising or demoing products that aren’t production-ready. This is a prudent response to past missteps, but for attendees and observers it creates an undeniable gap between what’s hyped and what’s tangible.
The Shifting Role of Trade Shows
Third, as digital launches and tailor-made virtual events proliferate, the traditional role of Computex—and similar shows—may be changing. In the past, these events were the sole platform for product debuts and industry-defining demos. Increasingly, they are just one of several channels for engagement, with companies opting for curated, invite-only previews or virtual summits to control message and minimize risk.This shift is likely a factor in both the missing high-profile collaborations and Samsung’s absence, as firms weigh the ROI of costly global events versus bespoke digital rollouts.
Notable Strengths and Enduring Value
Despite these gaps, Computex 2025 delivered several clear strengths worth emphasizing. The event successfully showcased the continued evolution of AI at the system level—and not just in premium devices. Nvidia’s and AMD’s announcements will have downstream impacts for years in consumer, creative, and enterprise segments alike. The focus on energy efficiency—reflected in both processor and display technologies—signals lasting, systemic progress that will benefit users and the environment.Additionally, the presence of new, AI-focused edge devices and wearables, exemplified by Acer, offers a preview of how personalized, privacy-oriented innovation might soon reach a broader market. While often overshadowed by headline PC and GPU announcements, these form the foundation of the much-hyped AI revolution’s true day-to-day value.
Potential Risks and Industry Watch Points
The flipside of these strengths is not trivial. The increasing centralization of mindshare and exhibitor space threatens to make events like Computex less welcoming—and less accessible—to the very innovators who kickstarted the industry’s biggest upheavals in the first place. If this year’s startup squeeze becomes the norm, it could slow the rate of out-of-the-box thinking and restrict the pool of new products that challenge the status quo.Similarly, the pattern of underwhelming roadmaps and vaporware-like absences raises questions about the true pace of innovation. Are these delays simply a sign of prudent caution, or do they reflect deeper systemic issues in supply chains, manufacturing readiness, or R&D?
From a consumer perspective, the lack of mass-market AI PC availability means that the AI revolution, while loudly proclaimed, is still some steps away from broad adoption. Unless costs, tooling, and software support for genuinely useful AI PC experiences improve rapidly, mainstream buyers will continue to watch from the sidelines, potentially slowing the hoped-for democratization of AI.
Finally, the silence on emergent sectors—quantum, foldable, next-generation VR—indicates either strategic withholding or a temporary plateau. Either scenario invites competitors with the resources and boldness to capitalize on untapped opportunities.
Conclusion: Innovation Is Messy—and Ongoing
If Computex 2025 reminds us of anything, it is that the march of innovation is rarely linear. For every headline-grabbing demo, there are detours: delayed launches, missing collaborations, and the subtle retreat of upstart energy. Yet, these gaps are not signs of stagnation, nor reasons for cynicism. Rather, they mark the shifting ground on which the future of technology is built—a landscape shaped by competition, risk, and the unrelenting pressure to deliver on outsized promise.The most important takeaway for Windows enthusiasts, developers, and the wider tech audience is to temper excitement with patience. Technologies forecasted for tomorrow often take years to deliver real value, interrupted by market realities and engineering challenges. For now, the best course may be to watch both the giants and the dark horse players, looking for signals not just at trade shows but across the wider digital ecosystem.
As 2025 unfolds, the world will see whether the gaps at Computex prove to be missed opportunities or the first hints of deeper pivots yet to come. One thing is certain: the appetite for genuine, accessible, and transformative innovation has never been stronger. How soon it arrives, and who delivers it, remains the question at the heart of every major show—and every conversation about the future of Windows and beyond.
Source: Windows Report Computex 2025: The no shows & biggest misses
