Andrew Cunningham

Andrew Cunningham covers consumer technology for Ars Technica with a focus on operating systems and personal computers, treating them as long-lived products rather than one-off launches. His reporting tracks how Windows, macOS, and mainstream PC hardware change over years of updates, with close attention to the small interface decisions, compatibility breaks, and support policies that shape everyday use. He combines lab-style testing with lived-in perspective, writing for readers who care about both benchmarks and the subtle ways software updates affect their workflows.

Windows 11, taskbar tweaks, and long-term OS coverage

Cunningham’s Windows coverage is defined by its long memory and attention to detail. He does not just describe new features in Windows 11; he follows how the operating system evolves across release cycles, service packs, and cumulative updates, highlighting when Microsoft reverses past decisions or restores long-requested options. Pieces on Windows 11’s revived taskbar behaviors, for example, situate those changes in five years of user frustration and design trade-offs, showing how small interface tweaks can matter as much as marquee features.

He consistently focuses on the nuts and bolts of the OS: taskbar and Start menu behavior, default browser handling, account setup flows, update policies, and hardware support cutoffs. His stories spell out what changes for people upgrading from older Windows versions, what is lost or broken, and what can be restored with settings, workarounds, or third-party tools. He frequently explains system requirements and support timelines in plain language, unpacking concepts like TPM mandates, CPU generation cutoffs, and end-of-life dates so readers understand when a machine really needs to be replaced.

Across this coverage he writes with an administrator’s eye and a user’s patience. He notes when changes benefit security or performance, but also when they add friction, remove long-standing options, or push users toward online accounts and cloud services. His pieces often compare new behavior to older releases dating back multiple Windows generations, giving his work a continuity that stands apart from quick first-look reporting.

Apple desktops, laptops, and transition-era hardware

Cunningham also spends significant time on Apple hardware and operating systems, especially during major platform transitions. His Mac reviews dig into how new chips, thermal designs, and form factors affect performance, battery life, and day-to-day usability, with careful comparisons against multiple generations of Intel and Apple silicon machines. He often tests common workloads rather than only synthetic benchmarks, and he is explicit about which users will notice the differences and which will not.

His macOS coverage mirrors his Windows beat in its focus on long-term change. He tracks how new macOS releases alter system requirements, compatibility with older apps, and the balance between local control and cloud-integrated services. When he looks at Apple desktops and laptops, he pays particular attention to upgradeability, repairability, and ports, noting when designs lock users into fixed configurations and when they leave room for future expansion.

Because he has covered Apple platforms over multiple hardware and software generations, he brings historical context to each review. He points out when Apple is reintroducing once-abandoned ideas, when it is simplifying at the cost of power-user options, and when new releases quietly fix long-standing pain points without fanfare.

Small-form-factor PCs, DIY builds, and performance testing

Beyond mainstream laptops and desktops, Cunningham often gravitates toward compact PCs, mini-desktops, and other small-form-factor systems. His reviews detail internal layouts, cooling solutions, and noise profiles, alongside traditional CPU and GPU benchmarks. He is explicit about trade-offs: what you get in performance and flexibility by moving to a larger tower, and what you gain in space savings and power efficiency with a smaller box.

He brings a methodical testing approach to this hardware. His pieces typically include multi-generation performance comparisons, power consumption numbers at idle and under load, and commentary on thermals and fan behavior during sustained work. He also notes the practicalities of living with the hardware—how easy it is to open, add storage or memory, or swap components—which is particularly valuable when a system is pitched as an upgrade-friendly or eco-conscious choice.

In coverage of mainstream consumer PCs, he applies the same rigor but frames it around the questions a buyer would ask: how long the machine will remain supported, what kind of display or keyboard quality you get at a given price point, and whether trade-offs like soldered RAM or limited ports are acceptable for the intended audience.

Guides, explainers, and practical upgrade advice

Cunningham frequently writes explainers and how-to style pieces that bridge news and service journalism. When a new OS release tightens hardware requirements or an older version nears end-of-support, he produces guides that lay out options: upgrading in place, performing clean installs, extending the life of older machines, or switching platforms entirely. These stories are structured to walk readers through decisions step by step rather than simply listing features.

His explainers also demystify technical concepts that underlie his beat. He breaks down how different processor architectures affect software compatibility, what various security features do in practice, and why certain installation paths are supported or blocked. He avoids jargon where possible, but he does not shy away from technical specifics when they matter to the outcome.

Across formats, his through-line is respect for the reader’s time and hardware. He writes for people who maintain and use PCs and Macs for years, not just for early adopters chasing the latest release. That long-horizon view—combining detailed testing, historical knowledge of Windows and macOS, and practical upgrade guidance—is what distinguishes his coverage on the technology beat.