It’s with a heavy heart that I write this, undoubtedly the toughest piece I’ve ever crafted at AnandTech. After more than 27 years in the captivating and constantly shifting realm of computing hardware, today marks the final chapter for AnandTech as a publishing entity.
The journey we embarked upon has reached its conclusion. Beginning with the review of an AMD processor and poetically wrapping up with another one from AMD, it underscores our passion for covering the ever-evolving chips that fuel the computing industry.
Reflecting on a quarter-century of change, it’s astonishing how much the landscape has transformed. Back in 1997, NVIDIA hadn’t even introduced us to the term “GPU.” We’ve watched as humongous desktop setups evolved into pocket-sized powerhouses that outperform the giants of yesteryears.
The past decades have also reshaped the field of publishing. While AnandTech wasn’t the first, nor will it be the last in the hardware enthusiast domain, it thrived where others could not, owed to relentless dedication, smart investments, and the unwavering encouragement of colleagues, friends, and loyal readers.
However, all good things must come to an end, and the arena for tech journalism has shifted dramatically, and not necessarily favorably, from what it used to be. It’s time for AnandTech to bow out gracefully and make way for new voices in tech journalism to emerge and lead the narrative.
For the past 19 years, and as editor-in-chief for the last decade, it’s been my immense honor to contribute to AnandTech. While it stings to be the one closing this final chapter, I’m genuinely proud of all we’ve achieved, celebrating iconic tech products, crafting enduring technology primers, and witnessing rising stars in expected and unexpected places. Despite 21,500 articles, there were dreams yet unrealized, but there’s solace in knowing the journey has been extraordinary.
Yet, while the AnandTech crew heads towards the sunset, I’m pleased to announce that Future PLC, our publisher, has plans to keep the AnandTech website alive indefinitely. This ensures that years of our informative content remain accessible and cite-worthy. Although no fresh articles will grace the site, our past writings will continue to hold relevance and remain available.
In addition, the AnandTech Forums will uphold their legacy, maintained by Future’s community team and our steadfast moderators. With discussions stretching back to 1999, the forums have a rich history comparable to AnandTech’s own legacy. Even as new articles cease, it remains a lively space for tech discussions that will stretch well beyond 48 hours.
For those hungry for tech insights, our long-time comrades and competitors, Tom’s Hardware, a fellow Future brand, will persist in delivering top-notch technology coverage. Some familiar faces from AnandTech have already joined them, bringing their seasoned perspectives to an ever-evolving tech landscape.
Thank You to Many
Reflecting on AnandTech’s incredible achievements over the years, gratitude is due to an extensive roster of dedicated individuals and groups. The editors, the heart of AnandTech, are among the brightest minds I’ve worked alongside—each a success now in their diverse fields, from software to space exploration. A heartfelt thanks to you all.
Special recognition goes to our final group of editors—Gavin Bonshor, Ganesh TS, E. Fylladitakis, and Anton Shilov—who contributed their all, meeting deadlines and traveling great lengths for the latest tech news.
None of this would have taken flight without Anand Lal Shimpi, the visionary who created this site in his bedroom 27 years ago. Though he stepped back from tech journalism a decade ago, his high standards and guiding principles remain the cornerstone of AnandTech.
Thank you to the numerous hardware and software companies for your cooperation over the years. The access to your brilliant minds, capable of creating the most advanced technology, enriched our knowledge. While we didn’t always see eye-to-eye, the advancements shared have served both consumers and the industry immensely.
A huge thanks to our publishers, Future PLC and Purch, for granting us the freedom to stay true to AnandTech’s identity, despite trends and financial temptations. This editorial independence up to our final day has been invaluable.
And lastly, an enormous thank you to our readers. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or just discovered our work, everything we’ve done has been for you—to inform, excite, and occasionally remind you about pricing realities. You have pushed us to better ourselves and held us accountable. Our impact has only been as significant as our readership.
Fighting for Quality Content
As a final thought, I urge everyone involved in tech journalism not to succumb to the sensationalism plaguing modern media. There’s an increasing need for keen, diligent reporting against the shallow news cycle. Follow your instincts, serve your readers with integrity, and support your stories with thorough research. To echo Anand’s words, balance remains key in the ever-expanding digital world.
A Fond Farewell
It’s truly been a privilege over these 19 years to be part of a pioneering tech publication. While saying goodbye to an era with AnandTech is bittersweet, I’m immensely proud of what we accomplished with support from our industry partners and wonderful readers.
On a personal level, this role has been a dream come true. While no longer at the helm of AnandTech, I remain passionate about technology and will continue to engage with the community, most notably on platforms like Twitter/X. My journey is far from over.
To everyone who’s joined us—supporters, critics, readers, competitors, engineers, or the simply curious—thank you for your patronage. We wouldn’t have achieved any of this without you.
Warm regards,
Ryan Smith
