Dell Archives

Winsage

August 11, 2025

Get ready for back to school with great deals on Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs

As the academic year approaches, there is an increased demand for reliable and high-performance PCs that support students' academic needs and personal style. Windows 11, enhanced with Copilot, offers tools for productivity and organization. Microsoft is promoting back-to-school discounts on Surface devices, including savings on the Surface Pro 13-inch, Surface Laptop 13-inch, and Surface Pro 12-inch. Students can trade in their Windows 10 PCs for cash back and receive a complimentary trial of Microsoft 365 Personal. Various manufacturers, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, are offering Windows 11 PCs designed for learning and creativity. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart are providing deals on laptops and tech accessories.

Winsage

August 8, 2025

Ask Engadget: What are my options when Windows 10 support ends on October 14?

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users can continue to operate their Windows 10 PCs after this date, but they will not receive customer support, security updates, or upgrades, making the system vulnerable. Upgrading to Windows 11 is the best option for most users, provided their hardware meets the minimum requirements. Users can check compatibility with Microsoft's PC Health Check app. If a PC cannot support Windows 11, users may consider buying a new PC, with prices typically ranging from 0 to ,200. Alternatively, users can continue using Windows 10, which poses significant security risks without updates. Another option is to pay for the Windows 10 Extended Security Update (ESU) for an additional year of support until October 13, 2026, available for a fee or Microsoft reward points.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft is killing off Windows 11 SE, its Chrome OS competitor

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 11 SE by October 2026, ceasing all software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes. Devices running Windows 11 SE will continue to function, but users are advised to transition to another edition of Windows 11 for ongoing support. The upcoming 25H2 update will not be released for Windows 11 SE, leaving devices on the 24H2 version until support ends. Various manufacturers have produced laptops with Windows 11 SE, and Microsoft launched the budget-friendly Surface Laptop SE in 2021. Microsoft's previous attempts to compete with Chrome OS included the introduction of S Mode for Windows 10, which faced challenges due to limited app availability. A Gartner report indicates that Chromebook market share is declining, with a shift in focus towards Windows 11 upgrades rather than migration to Chrome OS.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

You DO see Win 11 as an AI PC opportunity, say Dell, Intel

Dell and Intel are promoting the upgrade of PC fleets from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as a strategic opportunity for businesses to prepare for artificial intelligence (AI). Their "Windows 11 & AI PC Readiness Report" suggests that this is an ideal time for organizations to improve productivity, collaboration, and security with AI-ready PCs. A survey indicated that 80 percent of UK businesses plan to transition to Windows 11 by October 14, when support for Windows 10 ends. However, there are concerns about software and hardware compatibility, as well as the high costs associated with AI PCs, which may deter buyers. The report shows that 62 percent of IT decision-makers prefer Copilot+ AI PCs, while 64 percent believe it is critical to acquire new PCs capable of running AI applications. Despite claims of enhanced productivity with AI PCs, a study found that employees using such systems were less productive than those with traditional hardware.

Winsage

July 25, 2025

Windows 11 migration could be the perfect time to get an AI PC

Recent research indicates a significant shift in the IT landscape as businesses transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, coinciding with the emergence of AI PCs. A study by Dell reveals that 80% of UK businesses are migrating to Windows 11, viewing it as a strategic opportunity to adopt AI-ready PCs. 71% of IT decision-makers believe this transition allows for upgrades to more powerful AI PCs. Nearly half of respondents recognize AI PCs for their advanced security features (47%) and enhanced productivity (44%), while 64% consider AI-capable hardware essential for future operations. Security breaches motivate 46% of IT leaders to refresh their PC fleets, surpassing the 42% updating due to Windows 10 end of support. Challenges include software compatibility (45%), hardware compatibility (34%), and potential operational disruptions (32%), with 20% of businesses yet to start their transition. Additionally, 62% of IT decision-makers prefer a Copilot+ PC over traditional models, driven by benefits like longer battery life and superior performance.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

SMEs need channel help moving off Windows 10

71% of IT decision-makers view the transition to Windows 11 as an opportunity to enhance PC infrastructure. 64% of UK decision-makers consider the ability to run AI applications as critical for their organizations. Currently, 20% of customers have not started transitioning from Windows 10, 25% have completed the migration, and 44% are working towards the October end-of-life support deadline. Small firms are particularly lagging in this transition. Analysts predict a global PC market growth of 5.8% in 2025, with total shipments expected to reach 272 million units, following a 9% growth in Q1 and a 7.4% year-on-year improvement in Q2.

Winsage

July 24, 2025

Microsoft Unveils PC-to-PC Migration Tool for Local Transfers as Windows 10 Support Ends in 2025

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or purchasing new devices. To address concerns about cloud dependency, Microsoft has introduced a PC-to-PC migration tool that allows users to transfer files, settings, and applications directly from a Windows 10 machine to a Windows 11 device over a local network, without using OneDrive. This tool requires both PCs to be on the same Wi-Fi network and powered on simultaneously. However, it necessitates a Microsoft account for authentication and lacks full support for Arm-based devices. The introduction of this tool appears to be a strategic response to competition and user demand for alternatives to cloud-based solutions.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

Lenovo, Apple, and others post huge PC numbers, but behind it all is looming software panic

The global PC market saw a 7.4% year-on-year increase in shipments during Q2 2025, totaling 67.6 million units. This growth is primarily driven by urgent business upgrades due to the impending end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025, rather than a resurgence in consumer confidence. Businesses are refreshing their PC deployments, while consumer spending on personal devices has stagnated, with many delaying upgrades until 2026. Over half of channel partners expect growth in their PC business in the latter half of 2025, with nearly a third anticipating growth exceeding 10%. Lenovo led the market with 17.0 million units shipped, followed by HP with 14.1 million units, and Dell with a slight decline of 3.0%. Apple experienced a 21.3% increase to 6.4 million units, while Asus saw an 18.4% rise. Desktop shipments increased by 9%, and notebooks rose by 7%. The market dynamics are also influenced by evolving US tariff policies, which are reshaping the PC supply chain landscape.

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Breathing new Life into Old Devices with Windows 11 on Amazon WorkSpaces

The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 2025, prompting businesses to consider alternatives like desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) solutions, such as Amazon WorkSpaces, due to many devices being incompatible with Windows 11. Organizations are repurposing older devices as clients for DaaS desktops to reduce costs and promote sustainability. Amazon WorkSpaces offers secure, cloud-based virtual desktops, enhancing security and business continuity while facilitating remote work. It has been recognized as a leading DaaS provider by Gartner. AWS announced compatibility with ChromeOS Flex in March 2025, making it suitable for repurposing older laptops. ChromeOS Flex requires minimal hardware specifications and simplifies IT management. Testing showed that a repurposed Dell E7440 laptop could effectively connect to a Windows 11 WorkSpaces desktop. The integration of Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise on Amazon WorkSpaces allows users to utilize existing licenses at no extra cost. Amazon WorkSpaces operates on a pay-as-you-go model, supporting sustainability and cost savings while providing secure access to virtual desktops.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Don’t buy into Microsoft’s “Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs” claim — Here’s why it’s stretching the truth

Microsoft's Windows 10 is approaching its "End of Life" on October 14, 2025, prompting the company to promote Windows 11 and encourage users to upgrade. Microsoft has introduced an "Extended Security Updates" (ESU) program, available at no cost for users who sync their Windows 10 settings to the cloud via a Microsoft Account, extending support until 2026. A campaign titled "Stay secure with Windows 11" highlights advantages of Windows 11, including claims that Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3 times faster than Windows 10 PCs, based on testing conducted in December 2024 using Geekbench 6. This testing compared Windows 10 PCs with older Intel processors to Windows 11 machines with newer Intel processors. The performance gap is influenced by hardware specifications, and users are advised to critically evaluate performance claims, especially those using the phrase "up to."