The hottest Hardware Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Quick Survey on RISC-V Development

Fprox’s Substack • 83 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. The author is curious about how people develop using RISC-V tools and hardware. They want to see what tools are commonly used.
  2. The author shares their experience using specific tools like clang and GCC for RISC-V development. They find both useful for different tasks.
  3. A survey is included for readers to share their own RISC-V development tools and experiences. The author encourages sharing the survey with others.

Exploring the Efficient Frontier of LLMs

Gradient Flow • 59 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Efficiency in large language models (LLMs) is crucial for success in the competitive market. Focus on delivering models that are not only accurate but also faster and cost-effective to stay ahead.
  2. Investing in data tools for better data efficiency can significantly enhance model performance and save costs. Sophisticated data tools tailored for diverse data types play a pivotal role.
  3. Architectural innovations like sparse architectures and Mixture of Experts engines can boost efficiency in LLMs. Strategic partnerships and quality hardware for training are essential for enhancing model efficiency.

My episode on Carl Zha regarding latest on AI

TP’s Substack • 15 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. China is rapidly building a full AI hardware ecosystem — from semiconductors to memory, analog parts, cooling, and optical networking — which makes its domestic supernodes and clusters increasingly powerful.
  2. System-level limits like energy, interconnect bandwidth, and memory often leave chips idle, so tightly wiring many smaller chips into SuperPoDs or SuperClusters can be more effective than relying on bigger standalone chips.
  3. In the near term most AI will act like an advanced search/automation tool that replaces entry-level work, and while China may buy large numbers of H200s, those GPUs alone won’t be the core of its overall AI chip demand.

DePIN and DeREN: Toward a Better Classification of Decentralized Infrastructure Networks

Unsyndicated by Mason Nystrom • 137 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Decentralized infrastructure networks can be categorized into DePINs and DeRENs based on their unique properties.
  2. DePINs use non-fungible resources deployed in specific locations, while DeRENs use fungible resources that are location-independent.
  3. Successful networks in both categories unlock new demand or expand the market in unique ways, not just compete on price.

The Sequence AI of the Week #777: Thinking Fast, Thinking Cheap: Thinking Fast, Thinking Cheap: The Nemotron 3 Blueprint

TheSequence • 14 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. NVIDIA launched the Nemotron 3 family (Nano, Super, and Ultra), establishing a new baseline for open-weight AI and moving into the reasoning-model race.
  2. The models use a hybrid Mamba-Transformer Mixture-of-Experts design, and Nemotron 3 Nano achieves a new state-of-the-art for the 30B parameter class, showing strong efficiency and performance.
  3. This release signals a shift away from brute-force dense Transformers toward more architecture-efficient, cost-effective models that matter for enterprises and researchers.
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DNAe Early Access Update

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Sam Reed from DNAe publicly commented on earlier coverage, and the coverage was updated to reflect those comments.
  2. DNAe's news posts include posters that show an instrument different from the one on the official website, suggesting either a new model or inconsistent imagery.
  3. The full update is behind a paywall, so readers must subscribe or sign in to read the paid content.

Anteprima Dall-E 3 in Bing

Vincos Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Google announced new hardware like Pixel 8 + Pro and Pixel Watch 2, focusing on AI features.
  2. Elon Musk's decisions on Link Previews impact user experience and transparency on social media platforms.
  3. Companies like Canva are implementing AI features to speed up content production, like creating videos from text.

Pratik's Year in Review: 2025

Pratik’s Pakodas 🍿 • 8 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. AI agents and skill-based subagents let you run many tasks in parallel and move work forward continuously. This shifts the role from single-threaded coder to an orchestrator who delegates, evaluates, and scales output.
  2. Building a community depends on habits and critical mass more than platform features; migrating people to a new platform requires heavy outreach, patience, and active admins. Tools help, but sustained engagement is earned through social habits, not just better functionality.
  3. Measure and design life around 'great days' by engineering conditions that produce them — prioritize sleep, consistent healthy habits, slack time, and small experiments. Small rituals and intentional choices matter more for long-term happiness than chasing big achievements.

Meter: The Internet Utility

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 183 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Meter aims to make internet access as easy and universal as electricity. The founders believe that just like buildings come ready for power, companies should have straightforward internet setups too.
  2. By integrating hardware, software, and support into one package, Meter can provide better service at a lower cost. This approach helps them stand out from traditional network providers.
  3. Meter is working on creating advanced AI models to automate network management. This means that over time, networks could self-configure, get smarter, and require less human intervention.

Unveiling the Future of AI: Insights on AI Chips, Knowledge Graphs, and AI Regulations

Gradient Flow • 239 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. AI chips are evolving to meet the demands of models, like the focus on non-Nvidia backends making strides with software stacks such as PyTorch 2.0 and Triton.
  2. Knowledge graphs are escalating in importance for AI applications due to their ability to provide structured data representation, aiding in better comprehension and use of information.
  3. Anticipation is growing for AI regulations in 2023; teams are advised to prepare for regulatory changes in data and AI by consulting with experts and staying informed.

Prospero Pascal for the Atari ST

Goto 10: The Newsletter for Atari Enthusiasts • 78 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Prospero Software made compilers for Atari ST and other systems like Sinclair QL and OS/2.
  2. Prospero Pascal was an extensive system with manuals totaling 718 pages, making it one of the most detailed ST development tools.
  3. The integration capability of Prospero compilers allowed for sharing libraries between Prospero Pascal, C, and Fortran, giving a unique advantage in the market.

How to run LLaMa in an old GPU

followfox.ai’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Local LLMs are not as advanced as ChatGPT but show potential for various applications.
  2. LLaMa models by Facebook are licensed for non-commercial use and show good performance for their size.
  3. GPTQ quantization technique enables running LLaMa on old GPUs by compressing model weights and maintaining speed.

MakerNews - December 2025 Update

Maker News • 7 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. The maker community stayed curious and playful through 2025, prioritizing exploration, learning, and hands-on experimentation even when projects got messy.
  2. Practical, clever hacks and tools stood out — from ESP32 USB JTAG debugging and Raspberry Pi test benches to multicolor 3D printer mods, tiny spectrum analyzers, DIY chips, and firmware hacks.
  3. The year closed with community momentum and useful opportunities, like discounted CE certification for open-source hardware, encouraging makers to keep building into 2026.

Live Session: How Modern CPUs Execute Your Code: A Deep Dive into Performance

Confessions of a Code Addict • 168 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Understanding how modern CPUs work can help you fix performance problems in your code. Learning about how the processor executes code is key to improving your programs.
  2. Important features like cache hierarchies and branch prediction can greatly affect how fast your code runs. Knowing about these can help you write better and more efficient code.
  3. The live session will offer practical tips and real-world examples to apply what you've learned. It's a chance to ask questions and see how to tackle performance issues directly.

The post about GPUs

Technically • 68 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. GPUs are special chips that are really good for running AI models because they can perform many simple tasks at the same time.
  2. NVIDIA is the leading company in making GPUs, and their success has made it one of the most valuable companies globally.
  3. While CPUs are great for complex tasks that need to happen in order, GPUs excel at handling lots of simple operations all at once.

Tenstorrent Extends Japan Engagement

More Than Moore • 210 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Tenstorrent is focusing on a combination of selling hardware and open-sourcing their software. This allows them to work closely with clients while still attracting broader interest.
  2. The company is training up to 200 Japanese engineers in their technology to help improve local manufacturing capabilities. This will enhance skills in the region and expand the use of their designs.
  3. Tenstorrent is growing its operations in Japan and developing local teams. This signals their commitment to being a key player in the Japanese semiconductor industry.

☁ Databricks & Enterprise AI

Hard Mode by Breaking SaaS • 117 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Databricks made a bold $1.3B bet on acquiring MosaicML for their generative AI platform.
  2. Efficiency is key in using GPU capacity effectively, leading to competitive advantages.
  3. LLMs are now considered table stakes for data companies, with the focus shifting towards the importance of privacy in AI models.

DRM Gone Wild: The Polish Train Liberation Controversy

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Polish hackers faced legal pushback after repairing a train that a manufacturer attempted to render inoperable remotely, highlighting the risks of DRM and anti-competitive behavior.
  2. DRM controls extend to various devices like farm equipment and cars, restricting repairs to authorized technicians and limiting consumer choice, highlighting the need for right to repair laws.
  3. Companies use DRM and legal threats to control products, emphasizing profit over consumer rights, leading to the rise of the 'landlord economy' where users pay for ownership and usage rights.

South Bay LA is Ground Zero for the Hard Tech Wave and Here's Why

Nathan’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. South Bay LA, including areas like Redondo Beach, El Segundo, and Torrance, is experiencing a boom in hard tech innovation. The region is home to a growing number of young founders and engineers leveraging decades of experience and innovative tools from companies like SpaceX.
  2. The concentration of talent in South Bay is reminiscent of Richard Florida's theory on talent clusters, where talent attracts more talent, leading to a cycle of innovation and success. The region's history in aerospace has also played a significant role in shaping this talent pool.
  3. The alumni networks of SpaceX and Tesla have significantly contributed to the entrepreneurial spirit in South Bay, with many new hard tech companies emerging from these connections. The presence of these networks has made South Bay a hub for hard tech innovation and collaboration.

Focus

Mountain Labs Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
💼 Business Hardware
  1. The new product, ODAK, is a CO2 detector that helps keep track of air quality and cognitive performance during work sessions. It also features a built-in time-boxing tool and LED notifications.
  2. Building hardware products offers unique challenges and benefits compared to software. Physical products can create a stronger connection with users because they can be seen and used without relying on ads.
  3. Having a clear strategy is crucial for product development. It's important to learn from past experiences and focus on a vision that aligns personal values with business goals.

Building a PC #1: Why bother?

The Rectangle • 56 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Building your own PC can be very rewarding and is often seen as a personal challenge for tech enthusiasts. It allows you to create a computer that fits your specific needs.
  2. Nostalgia can play a big role in the desire to build a PC, reminding you of your childhood passions and interests in technology.
  3. Investing in a PC can also be about rekindling old hobbies and interests, creating a sense of joy and satisfaction.

Under the microscope: Radiant Silvergun (Saturn)

Rings of Saturn • 58 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. In the game Radiant Silvergun, there’s an Easter egg that lets you access all bonus options, including an invincible mode. You can unlock it by entering a specific score and initials.
  2. You can use the second controller to access extra options in the game. By pressing a combination of buttons, you can enable things like stage select and game speed.
  3. The game has secret unlocks that can take a lot of playtime, like getting special options after playing for several hours. It’s a fun way to keep players engaged.

Discwasher SpikeMaster

Computer Ads from the Past • 128 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. The Discwasher SpikeMaster was designed to protect computers from electrical surges. It featured multiple outlets and surge protection to keep devices safe.
  2. Discwasher was a well-known company for computer and audio accessories, but it dissolved in 1983. Despite this, its products continued to be mentioned in various publications years later.
  3. The SpikeMaster was marketed for its ability to filter interference and manage power safely. It made it easier for users to power multiple devices without the worry of damaging surges.

ONE IMAGE: HOISTED FROM THE ARCHIVES FROM 2020: The Moment I Realized Intel Was in Huge Trouble—But I Did Not See the TSMC-NVIDIA Angle

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 161 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Intel has been struggling to keep up with competitors like TSMC and Apple, especially in chip performance and manufacturing processes. This gap has raised concerns about Intel's future viability.
  2. Performance per watt is becoming more important in chip design, meaning companies like Apple that focus on this can gain a significant advantage over others, including Intel.
  3. Many believe Intel is in a tough spot with little hope for recovery. If things don’t improve, its value may only come from any cash payments the government might offer, rather than from future profits.

AMD MI300X is not an AI chip.

Irrational Analysis • 99 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. AMD MI300X is not designed for AI workloads, despite the false narrative in the media.
  2. AMD's strategic decision to split GPU efforts into RDNA and CDNA families led to commercial success in gaming and datacenter markets.
  3. AMD's MI300X is optimized for high-precision compute and supercomputing, lacking in low-precision compute capabilities for AI workloads, putting them behind Nvidia until at least H1 2025.

Instruction Sets For Investors

Irrational Analysis • 99 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Instruction Sets are the crucial 'languages' chips understand for processing, and the owner and structure of the set impact the chip's handling of tasks.
  2. x86 processors from Intel and AMD are RISC machines beneath their CISC architecture, showing the historical significance of micro-ops.
  3. Distinct concepts define ARM: the corporation (ARM LTD), the instruction set architecture (ARM ISA), and real-time logic/reference designs (ARM RTL).

Why Books are My Metaverse: Part I

Sol Reader • 98 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. AR/VR/MR technologies have not fulfilled their promises yet due to challenges in rendering realistic immersive experiences and practical usability.
  2. Reimagining FaceTech applications with simpler and more achievable goals, like developing a device for reading, can lead to innovative solutions with better user experiences.
  3. Focusing on enhancing 'Actual Reality' and creating clear-value-add use cases can pave the way for a more practical and successful future in the facial technology space.

Links for 2023-05-24

Axis of Ordinary • 98 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Yoshua Bengio discusses the potential emergence of rogue AIs.
  2. Windows is introducing Windows Copilot for enhanced productivity.
  3. Shenzhen has integrated drone food delivery into everyday life.

Public Miners Raised $2B in Last Pre-Halving Quarter

Miner Weekly • 19 implied HN points • 16 May 24
💰 Finance Hardware
  1. Public bitcoin mining companies raised nearly $2 billion in the last pre-halving quarter, with the three largest companies accounting for a significant portion.
  2. Financing activities for public mining stocks have slowed down in the current quarter, but the investments still surpass those from the previous year's quarter.
  3. Public mining companies are holding a substantial amount of bitcoin, signaling a shift towards retaining mined assets rather than selling immediately.

Results of Quick RISC-V Survey

Fprox’s Substack • 41 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Most RISC-V developers currently use simulators like Spike instead of real hardware, which shows that many are still testing their programs without actual devices.
  2. GCC is the preferred compiler among RISC-V developers, with more people using it than LLVM, likely due to its established presence in the development community.
  3. The survey indicates that RISC-V development is evolving, and as more hardware becomes available, the tools and methods used may shift more towards actual devices.

20260118

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. AI is rapidly reshaping industries and work: companies are pivoting from old bets to AI services, and jobs are becoming more fractional and outcome-based as AI starts to behave like a new kind of employee.
  2. Communities can reclaim AI to protect and revive culture and language, showing technology can be used for cultural stewardship rather than just profit.
  3. The rush toward new tech exposes material, security, and social strains—so preserving human rhythms like rest, play, and collective care is essential for resilience.

Live Session: CPUs, GPUs & LPUs + Ask Me Anything

Confessions of a Code Addict • 336 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. The upcoming live session will focus on CPUs, GPUs, and LPUs, exploring what makes them non-deterministic and discussing Groq's LPU design and architecture.
  2. The live session will include an Ask Me Anything (AMA) segment, where attendees can freely ask questions related to the discussed topics or anything else they're curious about.
  3. The event is scheduled for March 17th from 16:30 UTC to 18:00 UTC and will be limited to 100 participants, offering a mix of informative content and interactive Q&A.

How AI Infused PCs are Transforming the Computing Industry and Business

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. AI infused PCs have artificial intelligence capabilities built into the hardware to enhance performance and user experience.
  2. AI infused PCs are driving demand for advanced hardware, software, and infrastructure in the computing industry.
  3. In businesses, AI infused PCs streamline operations, reduce costs, increase efficiency, and provide valuable insights for improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Prepare for the Next Bitcoin Mining Infrastructure Boom

Miner Weekly • 59 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
💰 Finance Hardware
  1. Texas is becoming a major global hub for Bitcoin mining, with plans for significant power capacity expansions.
  2. Several major mining companies are gearing up for infrastructure booms by expanding their mining power capacity in various locations.
  3. Regulation news and corporate developments, like the acquisition of power plants, showcase the ongoing growth and changes in the Bitcoin mining industry.

Expansion hack: Grandia II (Dreamcast)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. You can unlock hidden debug features in Grandia II on Dreamcast. Just change some settings from OFF to ON in the game's files.
  2. With these debug features, you can warp to any map location, mess with display options, and even eliminate gameplay restrictions like enemy encounters.
  3. These tools can give you a fun, unique experience in the game, letting you explore parts of Grandia II that you wouldn't normally see.

Linaxin! Yet Another Nanopore Company

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Linaxin is a Chinese company working on solid‑state nanopore sequencing and was newly identified as another player in the nanopore space.
  2. There are very few active solid‑state nanopore companies — some earlier startups like Genvida and RH Genetech appear inactive, leaving only a small handful of contenders.
  3. Public info about Linaxin is limited, but patent filings assigned to Suzhou Lina Core Biotechnology Co Ltd and Nantong University Technology Transfer Center show nanopore‑related inventions, suggesting active IP work.

LLMs running on your laptops and smartphones.

nolano.ai • 78 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Hardware
  1. Large language models (LLMs) can be used for tasks like email completion and code explanation, but currently need hardware accelerators beyond personal devices.
  2. Using on-device LLMs allows greater control over data and the ability to create personalized generation models.
  3. A community of developers is working towards enabling LLM inference locally to empower creators and researchers in utilizing these models for their projects.