With a heavy heart, I find myself writing some of the toughest news I’ve ever had to share here at AnandTech. After an incredible journey spanning over 27 years in the world of computing hardware, today marks the final day of publication for AnandTech.
It’s both bittersweet and poetic that our journey both started and ends with an AMD processor review. This full-circle moment speaks to our dedication and passion for covering the essential components that drive the computing industry.
Over the past quarter-century, we’ve witnessed some monumental shifts. Remember, back in 1997, NVIDIA hadn’t even coined “GPU” yet! We’ve seen the transformation from clunky desktops and unwieldy laptops to sleek pocket-sized devices that outperform the best PCs of yesteryear.
Publishing, too, has evolved dramatically. While AnandTech wasn’t the very first hardware enthusiast site, we were lucky to thrive amidst changes that saw many others fall by the wayside. Our success over these decades was built on relentless determination, strategic staffing and product development, and tremendous support from friends, colleagues, and readers alike.
Yet, as the adage goes, all good things must come to an end. The landscape for written tech journalism isn’t what it used to be, and likely never will be again. Thus, it’s time for AnandTech to bow out, making room for new voices that will carry the torch forward.
It has been an immense honor to write for AnandTech for the past 19 years, and to lead it as editor-in-chief for the last decade. While it pains me to be the one helming it to its conclusion, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved—whether it’s legendary product reviews, insightful tech primers, or witnessing new talents rise. Even though there were more things I wished AnandTech could do, reaching 21,500 articles is no small feat.
The journey at AnandTech may conclude, but the site itself will live on thanks to Future PLC, our publisher. This ensures all the rich content we’ve crafted over the years remains available and relevant. It’s a testament to the enduring quality of AnandTech’s work that the articles will remain a valuable resource for years to come.
Our forums, too, will continue, managed by Future’s community team and our loyal moderators. These forums, dating back to 1999, have been as vibrant as AnandTech itself. They’ll remain a hub for lively discussion, long after the last article is published.
And if you’re looking for your fix of technical writing, our longtime competitor and fellow Future brand Tom’s Hardware continues the legacy. You’ll find familiar faces there, bringing their wealth of knowledge to the scene, ensuring the tech world is still well-covered.
Reflecting on AnandTech’s achievements over the past 27 years, there are countless people, groups, and companies to thank. First of all, heartfelt gratitude goes to all the editors who have been the site’s lifeblood. Their expertise and zeal forged the in-depth articles AnandTech is celebrated for. These amazing folks have gone on to achieve even greater heights in varied fields—testament to the talent that made AnandTech special.
A huge shoutout to the final batch of editors—Gavin Bonshor, Ganesh TS, E. Fylladitakis, and Anton Shilov—who pushed boundaries to deliver the site’s last articles. Their dedication took them across the globe to bring tech news back home.
And, of course, an immeasurable thank you to Anand Lal Shimpi, the visionary who launched this site from his bedroom 27 years ago. Though he stepped away from tech journalism a decade ago, his standards for excellence continue to inspire us all at AnandTech.
Our gratitude extends to the many hardware and software companies we’ve worked with. Beyond providing review samples, they’ve granted us access to brilliant minds in tech. Engaging with top engineers who’ve designed trailblazing chips has been a profound learning experience.
We owe thanks also to AnandTech’s publishers over the years, like Future PLC and Purch. They’ve afforded us remarkable freedom to be true to AnandTech’s ethos, even when that meant taking bold risks. Without this latitude, we couldn’t have maintained the integrity and quality that defined us.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without our incredible readership. Whether you discovered us in 1997 or just yesterday, everything we’ve done was for you. You’ve pushed us, held us accountable, and helped us grow.
In parting, I want to address “the Cable TV-ification of the Web”–our firm stance against sensationalism and clickbait. While AnandTech’s direct role in combating these practices ends today, the need for genuine, in-depth reporting is greater than ever. To current and future tech journalists, I urge you to uphold the values of quality reporting. Your work is vital in countering superficial and sensationalist journalism.
Signing off, it’s been a privilege to help mold one of the most impactful tech news sites ever. While closing AnandTech’s 27-year chapter is heartbreaking, I cherish what we accomplished together.
Personally, this role was a dream come true, and while my time as editor-in-chief ends, my journey in technology continues. I welcome what the future holds and invite you to find me on social media for what comes next.
To everyone who’s been part of the AnandTech journey—fans, critics, industry friends—thank you. Your support made everything possible. Thank you for sticking with us for an amazing 27 years.
– With gratitude,
Ryan Smith
