benchmark Archives

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Sat Nad declares Windows 11 has a billion users – just don’t bother asking for details

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Windows 11 has reached one billion users. This figure represents a 45 percent year-on-year increase and is achieved faster than Windows 10. The transition to Windows 11 has been influenced by the end of support for various Windows 10 versions in October, prompting users to upgrade. However, stringent hardware compatibility requirements have limited upgrades for many Windows 10 devices. Microsoft previously missed a target of one billion Windows 10 devices by 2018 due to issues with Windows Phone. The expiration of support for Windows 10 has led many users to upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Industry analysts suggest that many enterprises are budgeting for hardware replacements or ESU costs ahead of the October 2025 deadline for free Windows 10 updates.

Winsage

January 17, 2026

Microsoft rolls out tables in Notepad for all Windows 11 users, though I’d feel happier about this if I knew this was the final addition to my favorite little app

Notepad has undergone significant enhancements since 2022, including spell checking, dark mode, tabbed windows, state preservation, basic formatting capabilities, and the introduction of tables. The AI text streaming feature is currently available only on Copilot+ PCs but will eventually be rolled out to all Windows 11 systems. Users appreciate Notepad's simplicity and minimalistic design, though there are concerns that adding too many features may compromise its core functionality.

Winsage

January 15, 2026

Microsoft updates Windows DLL that triggered security alerts

Microsoft has resolved an issue where third-party security applications mistakenly flagged the WinSqlite3.dll component of the Windows operating system as vulnerable. This issue affected various systems, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2012 through 2025. The flagged vulnerability was linked to a memory corruption issue (CVE-2025-6965). Microsoft released an update to the WinSqlite3.dll component in updates from June 2025 and later, advising users to install the latest updates for their devices. WinSqlite3.dll is a core component of Windows, distinct from sqlite3.dll, which is not part of the operating system. Microsoft had previously addressed other false positive issues affecting its Defender for Endpoint platform.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Forget Hades 2, this underloved punk roguelike I adore is less than $1 for a short time only

Reignbreaker is a roguelike game where players embody Clef, a rebel aiming to overthrow an oppressive Kingdom in a medieval punk world. The gameplay features isometric combat similar to Hades, with high-octane action and unique mechanics such as motorized javelins and traps. Players earn rewards to enhance abilities as they progress through trials. The game is currently available in the Killer Bundle from Fanatical, starting at .75 for five games, making it a cost-effective option compared to Steam sales. The bundle includes various titles, such as Chernobylite: Premium Edition and Postal: Brain Damaged.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Windows 11 Faces Backlash as Slowest OS in 25 Years, Benchmarks Show

Microsoft's Windows 11, launched in 2021, has been criticized for significant performance issues, making it potentially the least performant version of Windows in over two decades. Independent benchmarks reveal that Windows 11 is slower than its predecessors in areas such as boot times, application launches, and overall system responsiveness. Users with high-end hardware, including 13th-generation Intel Core processors, have reported noticeable slowdowns compared to Windows 10. Performance assessments indicate that Windows 11 struggles in various categories, including file operations, multitasking, and gaming, with longer boot speeds reminiscent of older systems. Gamers have experienced stuttering and frame rate drops, and Microsoft has acknowledged these issues in updates since 2022. The operating system is criticized for being a "resource hog," with preloaded features consuming resources even when idle. Users have reported lagging File Explorer and freezing processes, leading some to consider alternative operating systems. IT departments have noted increased support tickets related to performance issues, prompting some to delay upgrades from Windows 10. Microsoft has offered optimization advice, but critics argue these are temporary fixes for deeper architectural problems. The performance issues have implications for software developers and hardware manufacturers, increasing development costs and complicating hardware optimizations. Analysts warn that without prompt action, Microsoft's market dominance could be at risk, as users advocate for a leaner, faster Windows.

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

As the Amazon series hits its stride, these excellent Fallout games are cheaper than ever

The Fallout franchise has gained renewed popularity due to the anticipation of a fifth mainline entry, an upcoming Amazon series, and improvements in Fallout 76. Fallout: New Vegas is highlighted as a significant title in the series, known for its RPG mechanics and narrative depth. Fallout 76, initially criticized at launch in 2018, has evolved into a more enjoyable experience. The Best of Platinum Collection from Fanatical offers Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 3, and Fallout 76 for .33 / £3.33 each, along with a variety of other games. Recommendations include Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 76, Amnesia: The Bunker, and RoboCop: Rogue City, with potential discounts for purchasing multiple titles.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Everwind devs are testing their ambitious Minecraft-like RPG on Steam Deck as it “makes sense for everyone to be this available”

Everwind is set to launch in late 2026 as an alternative to Minecraft and alongside Hytale. Players will explore floating islands and navigate the skies in airships. The development team is testing the game on Valve’s Steam Deck and other handheld devices, with early builds showing promising performance. They aim to support both handhelds and desktops, emphasizing the importance of PC handhelds in gaming. The team is also testing on the MSI Claw. The Steam Deck is becoming a benchmark for performance standards in the industry, with developers recognizing the benefits of optimizing for it.

Tech Optimizer

January 8, 2026

Faster Is Not Always Better: Choosing the Right PostgreSQL Insert Strategy in Python (+Benchmarks)

Inserting 2 million records per second into Postgres is achievable. The analysis explores five methods for inserting data into Postgres using Python, focusing on trade-offs in abstraction, safety, convenience, and performance rather than just speed. High-volume insert workloads are common in scenarios like loading records, syncing data, backfilling analytics tables, and ingesting events. Minor inefficiencies can lead to significant performance impacts. To interact with Postgres, the psycopg3 driver is used alongside SQLAlchemy, which provides two layers: Core and ORM. Psycopg3 is a low-level driver requiring manual SQL management, while SQLAlchemy Core offers a SQL abstraction, and the ORM maps Python classes to database tables, enhancing productivity but introducing overhead. Benchmarking involves measuring only the time spent transferring data from Python to Postgres, ensuring a fair comparison among methods. The fastest method may not always be the best due to maintenance costs, correctness guarantees, and cognitive load. The right insertion strategy depends on the existing data structure rather than just row count. The ORM is suited for CRUD-heavy applications, Core for data ingestion and analytics, and the Driver for maximum throughput in extensive writes. Performance issues can arise from mismatching abstractions, and reverting to a lower level may enhance performance. A guideline for choosing methods is: - Use ORM for applications prioritizing correctness and productivity. - Use Core for data movement or transformation balancing safety and speed. - Use Driver for pushing performance limits with raw power and full responsibility.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

‘A Minecraft Movie,’ ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ Lead U.K., Ireland Box Office to $1.45 Billion in 2025, Best Post-Pandemic Result Yet

The theatrical market in the U.K. and Ireland generated £1.07 billion in 2025, reflecting a 1% increase from the previous year and marking the strongest box office performance since the pandemic began. The leading film was Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie,” which earned £45.9 million, followed by Universal’s “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” at £30.7 million, and Universal’s “Wicked: For Good.” Despite this growth, the figures are still 21% below the pre-pandemic benchmark of 2019. The year saw a record 224 saturation releases, up from 200 in 2024, indicating a recovery from pandemic-related production delays. Universal’s “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” opened in over 750 cinemas in September.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

Windows 11 Trails Older OS Versions in ThinkPad X220 Speed Tests

Windows 11 has been tested on a Lenovo ThinkPad X220, revealing it to perform poorly compared to its predecessors, particularly Windows 8.1, which excelled in benchmarks for boot times and application launches. The test involved various Windows versions (XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10, and 11) on the same aging hardware, highlighting that Windows 11 consistently finished last in most categories. The ThinkPad X220 does not meet Windows 11’s minimum requirements, lacking essential components like TPM 2.0 and a compatible processor, which may have skewed the results. Critics argue that using outdated hardware for testing is not representative, suggesting that a fair comparison would involve flagship devices from each generation. Windows 11's architecture is designed for modern multicore CPUs and SSDs, which may struggle on older hardware. Additionally, Windows 11 has heavier overheads due to advanced security features, which consume resources that older operating systems do not. User feedback indicates frustration with Windows 11's performance on legacy hardware compared to leaner alternatives like Linux. Despite Microsoft promoting optimizations in Windows 11, these did not manifest in the ThinkPad test, and the findings raise concerns for businesses considering upgrades as Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date in 2025.