AnandTech Bids Farewell: A Final Goodbye

It’s with a heavy heart that I sit down to pen what is undoubtedly the toughest message I’ve ever had to share at AnandTech. After more than 27 years exploring the vast and unpredictable realm of computing hardware, today marks AnandTech’s final day of publication.

Through all its highs and lows, AnandTech has completed a journey that began with an AMD processor review and concludes fittingly with another. It’s poetic, in a sense, reflecting our ongoing passion over the years for dissecting the chips that drive the heart of the computing world.

In the past quarter-century, much has transformed—back in 1997, NVIDIA hadn’t even coined the term “GPU” yet. We’ve had the privilege of witnessing hardware evolution firsthand, transitioning from bulky desktop computers and laptops—arguably just portable desktops by today’s standards—to pocket-sized devices that blow 1997’s fastest PCs out of the water.

The publishing world has seen monumental shifts too. AnandTech was neither the first nor the last hardware website for enthusiasts. We’ve been lucky enough to thrive where many of our contemporaries did not, due to relentless hard work, strategic investments in talent and tech, and crucially, the unwavering support from our friends, colleagues, and readers.

But nothing lasts indefinitely, and tech journalism’s landscape isn’t what it used to be—it never will be. Thus, the time is apt for AnandTech to step aside, allowing the new wave of tech journalists to make their mark on the industry’s collective consciousness.

Being part of AnandTech for the past 19 years has been an immense privilege for me—especially overseeing it as editor-in-chief over the last decade. Though I feel a measure of sadness being AnandTech’s “final boss,” I cherish what we have achieved. From celebrating iconic products to crafting enduring tech primers and spotlighting emerging stars, there’s pride in every step of our journey through 21,500 articles.

As the AnandTech team rides into the sunset, I’m pleased to say the site will remain accessible, thanks to Future PLC. Though new articles won’t be added, our existing wealth of informative content will continue to be relevant and available.

Our forums, rich in history with threads dating back to 1999, will also continue under Future’s community team and our dedicated moderators. Even without new articles, ongoing discussions on upcoming technology are assured.

For those still yearning for quality technical writing, Tom’s Hardware, a fellow Future brand and our longstanding counterpart, continues to provide exceptional coverage of the tech world. Familiar AnandTech faces have joined them, taking their expertise to new heights.

Reflecting on AnandTech’s journey, there are countless people and organizations to thank. Our editors have always been the heartbeat of AnandTech, crafting the insightful and investigative articles we are known for. Their unparalleled dedication has led many to impressive achievements in various fields post-AnandTech.

A heartfelt thanks goes to our final class of editors—Gavin Bonshor, Ganesh TS, E. Fylladitakis, and Anton Shilov—for delivering outstanding work until the end. And, of course, Anand Lal Shimpi, who founded this site from his bedroom 27 years ago, deserves special recognition. Anand’s high standards and invaluable lessons have left an indelible mark on tech journalism.

We’ve collaborated with many hardware and software companies over the years, gaining invaluable insights from some of the brightest minds in the industry. These opportunities have been an incredible learning journey, even if we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye with every company.

I also extend gratitude to AnandTech’s publishers, including Future PLC, for granting us boundless freedom to pursue our type of journalism up to our final day. Many websites haven’t enjoyed such editorial independence, and for that, I am thankful.

Finally, to our readers: your support has been the driving force behind AnandTech. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or just recently discovered us, we’ve strived to provide valuable insights into the exciting world of technology. Your engagement has kept us diligent and accountable. We are grateful for your readership and the influence it has given us.

In closing, there remains a persistent need for high-quality, in-depth reporting to combat the sensationalism and shallow narratives that have gained traction on the web. I urge all current and aspiring tech journalists to stay true to this mission. Quality reporting, while not always sensational, plays a crucial role in informing and educating readers.

As I sign off for the final time, taking pride in our accomplishments and with gratitude to those who made it possible, I look forward to what lies on my horizon in the technology realm. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who has joined us on our journey at AnandTech.

Best,
Ryan Smith