cost-saving Archives

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Windows 10 is dying, hardware is pricey, and Citrix says VDI will save you

Citrix is promoting its virtualization platforms to address rising hardware costs and upcoming U.S. tariffs effective April 2025. Vice President Philipp Benkler suggested that organizations could extend the lifespan of existing hardware by using eLux, an operating system acquired from Unicon. As businesses face the end-of-life for Windows 10 and the transition to Windows 11, Citrix advocates for deploying centrally managed remote desktops from existing endpoints through its virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) platform. However, VDI implementation can face challenges such as "boot storms," which may lead to performance issues. Citrix recommends its NetScaler platform to manage these challenges without requiring additional hardware. While Citrix's approach aims to mitigate tariff-related costs, the company has increased its licensing prices, necessitating careful evaluation by organizations considering VDI. Security concerns also arise with NetScaler, as it is often targeted by cybercriminals, potentially introducing vulnerabilities. The effectiveness of Citrix's solution depends on each organization's IT landscape, budget, and ability to manage technical complexities.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Remember it’ll cost ya to keep the lights on for Windows 10

Microsoft has updated its support documentation for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10, detailing the pricing structure for commercial customers starting in 2024. The costs are set at per device for the first year, doubling in the second year, and reaching four times the initial cost in the third year. Organizations that join in Year Two must still pay for Year One, as the ESUs are cumulative. Free support for most versions of Windows 10 will end in November 2025. Organizations with a Windows 10 endpoint connected to a Windows 365 Cloud PC may qualify for free ESUs, and Windows 10 virtual machines in Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop can access ESUs for up to three years with an active Windows 365 subscription license.

Tech Optimizer

December 2, 2024

What to do after buying a device in the Black Friday sales

As the holiday shopping season approaches, consumers are preparing for Black Friday, which offers significant discounts on devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Retailers are expected to provide various seasonal promotions, making it an ideal time for price comparisons and savings. After purchasing a device, it is crucial to focus on cybersecurity by investing in a reliable VPN, antivirus software, and a secure password manager. Free VPN services may seem appealing, but they can compromise cybersecurity by selling user data and may have limitations. A reputable premium VPN offers better security features. Installing high-quality antivirus software is essential due to increasing cyber threats, and it's important to choose software that has been reviewed by experts and fits your budget. A password manager is also vital for securely storing and managing passwords, and it should have strong security features and compatibility across devices.

AppWizard

November 22, 2024

Call of Duty: Warzone Runs Significantly Better On Xbox PC & Battlenet Than Steam, Since Season 1 Launched

Players of Call of Duty: Warzone on Steam are experiencing significantly lower frame rates compared to those on Battle.net and the Xbox PC app, with Steam users struggling to maintain even 80 FPS while others enjoy frame rates between 100 to 200 FPS. The most popular GPU among surveyed users is the RTX 3060, which can deliver over 100 FPS at 1440p in competitive titles. The performance issues may be related to optimization challenges specific to the Steam version of the game, with speculation that a fix could be pending approval from Steam. Ongoing post-launch challenges are common for Call of Duty games, and players may want to consider alternatives to Steam for better performance and ownership rights.

Winsage

October 12, 2024

How to evaluate AI for Windows Server environments | TechTarget

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) presents challenges for IT managers in Windows Server environments, requiring evaluation of operational and business factors to determine the best deployment strategy—on-premises or cloud. Windows Server 2025 is set to enhance AI features, encouraging organizations to utilize existing infrastructure for AI initiatives. AI can improve analytics and IT operations by processing large datasets and automating tasks, but it has limitations in areas requiring creativity and nuanced decision-making. A cost-benefit analysis is essential for AI projects, focusing on ROI through time savings and efficiency improvements. Microsoft provides resources to help calculate ROI, including Total Economic Impact studies and AI Business School frameworks. Key factors influencing AI deployment costs include the choice between cloud and on-premises models, custom versus prebuilt AI models, and the complexity of the business case. Operational considerations for successful AI deployment include skill development, security protocols, environmental impact, and supply chain dependencies. Windows Server 2025 will introduce features like GPU partitioning and live migration for optimizing AI workloads. The decision between on-premises and cloud deployment involves assessing control, costs, scalability, and risk management strategies.

BetaBeacon

August 8, 2024

Exclusive: Meta is closing a beloved first-party Quest studio

Ready at Dawn Studios, known for producing highly-rated VR games such as Lone Echo and Echo VR, is closing permanently as part of a reduction to meet the new Reality Labs budgetary ceiling.

Winsage

April 20, 2024

Why pay for Microsoft’s exorbitantly priced subscription for Windows 10 when you can get a threefold cheaper upgrade for Windows 11?

- Limited-time deal from Woot slashes the price of Windows 11 Pro to .99, down from 9.99. - Windows 10 will reach end-of-support milestone in October 2025. - Subscription model for Windows 10 post-2025 starts at per device and doubles annually over three years. - Windows 11 adoption has been steady but slow compared to Windows 10. - Microsoft is placing full-screen prompts on Windows 10 PCs ineligible for the update, signaling the impending end of support.