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Windows on Arm had another good year
Winsage
December 29, 2025

Windows on Arm had another good year

The tech landscape is expected to see significant advancements in chips and software by 2026, particularly with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series enhancing Arm-based Windows laptops. The Snapdragon X chips improved performance and battery life, making Windows on Arm laptops more viable, especially in Microsoft’s Surface Laptop and Surface Pro lines. However, challenges with app compatibility persisted, limiting users to simplified versions of software like Adobe Lightroom. In 2025, software enhancements allowed more creative applications to run natively or through improved emulation, including Adobe Premiere Pro and a functioning version of Lightroom Classic on lower-end Snapdragon X Plus chips. Gaming options improved with advancements in emulator technology, and compatibility for Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat was established. The Xbox game launcher expanded to support local installations on Arm devices. Despite the growing appeal of Windows on Arm laptops, traditional x86 options remain dominant for gaming. The first generation of Snapdragon X chips set new benchmarks for battery life, but competition from Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Strix Point chips is emerging. Nvidia is rumored to be developing an Arm-based chip for Alienware laptops, indicating a competitive landscape. The gap between x86 and Arm Windows laptops is narrowing, with Arm laptops becoming more accessible, though x86 systems are likely to remain preferred for gamers. Microsoft’s evolution of Windows into an “agentic OS” raises questions about the future of Windows laptops.
This HP Windows Laptop with Office 365 Drops to Pennies, Now Cheaper Than a Generic Audio Headset
Winsage
November 11, 2025

This HP Windows Laptop with Office 365 Drops to Pennies, Now Cheaper Than a Generic Audio Headset

HP's Stream 14 is a budget laptop priced at on Amazon, featuring Windows 11, 256GB of SSD storage, and a year-long subscription to Microsoft Office 365 valued at . It is powered by an Intel Processor N150 and includes 16GB of DDR4 RAM, allowing for efficient multitasking. The laptop combines 128GB of internal UFS storage with an additional 128GB from a docking station. It has a 14-inch HD anti-glare display with a resolution of 1366 x 768. The package includes a 7-in-1 docking station and a 32GB microSD card for expanded connectivity and storage options.
End of Windows 10 support: Acer Aspire Go 15 may be a cheap alternative for some
Winsage
September 7, 2025

End of Windows 10 support: Acer Aspire Go 15 may be a cheap alternative for some

The Acer Aspire Go 15 is priced under 0 and offers a straightforward upgrade from previous models, particularly in performance, with faster loading times for websites and applications due to the latest Wi-Fi standards and a reasonably up-to-date Intel processor. It outperforms its predecessor in benchmark comparisons. Users may still find value in older models like the Tecra, which include features such as an optional DVD drive and a built-in card reader, but these can be supplemented with affordable docking stations. Additionally, old laptops can be donated to organizations like Labdoo.org for refurbishment and use in educational institutions, provided that data is securely removed beforehand.
Battlefield 6 requirements suggest it'll run on surprisingly modest PCs — EA VP says it still won't work on Steam Deck, though
AppWizard
August 1, 2025

Battlefield 6 requirements suggest it’ll run on surprisingly modest PCs — EA VP says it still won’t work on Steam Deck, though

Battlefield 6 (BF6) is scheduled for release on October 10, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game requires a 10th-generation Intel processor or an AMD Ryzen 3000 series chip, along with an Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti or an AMD RX 6700 XT graphics card for optimal performance. It will not be playable on the Steam Deck but may work on other handheld devices that support external GPUs. Recommended specifications for BF6 include 16GB of memory and 80GB of storage. The Battlefield series has historically been less demanding in terms of graphics compared to other AAA titles.
macOS 26 Tahoe Is the End of the Road for Intel Macs
Winsage
June 11, 2025

macOS 26 Tahoe Is the End of the Road for Intel Macs

Apple announced that macOS 26, also known as macOS Tahoe 26, will be the last version to support Intel-based Macs. The final Mac with an Intel processor was the previous-generation Mac Pro, succeeded by the M2 Ultra-powered Mac Pro in 2023. The transition to Apple Silicon began with the M1 series in 2020 and continued with the M2, M3, and M4 series. Critical security updates for Intel-based Macs will continue for a limited time but will eventually cease. macOS 27 will only support Apple Silicon Macs with M1 and later processors. Not all Macs running the current version, Sequoia, will be eligible for the Tahoe update; only those with Intel's ninth-generation Coffee Lake and Cascade Lake-based Xeon-W processors can run Tahoe. This includes specific models like the Mac Pro (2019) and MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019). Many Intel Macs, including various 2018 and older models, will not be able to upgrade to Tahoe. Apple's transition from Intel began in 2005, moving from PowerPC processors.
Windows 11 offers massive benefits for users and great opportunities for the channel
Winsage
March 24, 2025

Windows 11 offers massive benefits for users and great opportunities for the channel

The transition to Windows 11 is imminent, with significant opportunities for industry partners, as highlighted by Thomas Tapsas from Synnex. The end of technical support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025 means no further security or feature updates, and Microsoft 365 will not be supported on Windows 10. Approximately 5.7 million PCs in Australian commercial organizations are still running Windows 10, with over half unable to support Windows 11, necessitating the replacement of nearly 4 million computers before the deadline. Australia’s adoption rate of Windows 11 is around 38%, while over half of the UK market has already upgraded. Upgrading to new PCs running Windows 11 offers substantial hardware improvements, including better battery life and enhanced components. Newer PCs also support hardware protection for BitLocker-encrypted drives and experience 58% fewer security incidents. Organizations that have not begun the transition are approximately 300 days behind schedule in an average upgrade program that spans about 450 days.
It looks like Microsoft might have broken Windows 11 24H2 again as performance plummets with Intel's latest CPUs
Winsage
March 3, 2025

It looks like Microsoft might have broken Windows 11 24H2 again as performance plummets with Intel’s latest CPUs

Users of Windows 11 24H2 have reported issues after installing patches KB5050094 and KB5051987, particularly affecting those with Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processors, leading to game crashes and performance slowdowns. One user experienced crashes while playing The Settlers: New Allies, and others noted widespread instability across applications. An affected user with an ASRock Z890 Pro RS motherboard faced difficulties getting their system running without a beta BIOS due to an Intel microcode update. Users observed significant performance drops when applications were minimized, with CPU clock rates throttled. Performance issues were replicated across multiple applications, including 7Zip and Prime95, with benchmarks showing halved performance when minimized. A workaround involves adjusting power settings, but no definitive fix is available. Users with AMD Ryzen 9 9950X or older Intel Core i9-12900K processors have not reported similar issues, suggesting problems may be specific to Intel's LGA 1851 platform. Additional issues with Windows 11 24H2 include increased advertising in the Settings menu, high CPU utilization, and a glitch causing interface language discrepancies. The patches are optional, allowing users to revert to a more stable version or reinstall Windows 11.
Microsoft Drops Support For Intel's 10th Gen Processors On Windows 11 24H2, Marking An End To The Iconic "Comet Lake" Lineup
Winsage
February 16, 2025

Microsoft Drops Support For Intel’s 10th Gen Processors On Windows 11 24H2, Marking An End To The Iconic “Comet Lake” Lineup

Microsoft has announced that the latest version of Windows 11, 24H2, will not support Intel's 8th, 9th, and 10th generation Core processors on OEM systems. New machines with these processors will not be eligible for the update, although existing users can still receive updates. Microsoft will only support Intel's 12th generation processors and newer for this version. The decision affects OEM purchases and is notable given that the 10th generation processors were released recently and can run Windows 11. Microsoft has expanded its list of supported processors to include various new models from Intel and AMD, recommending at least a 12th generation Core processor for new OEM systems. The 24H2 version will also support several AMD 8000 series processors.
Windows 10's end is coming: here's what you should do about it
Winsage
December 13, 2024

Windows 10’s end is coming: here’s what you should do about it

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 was launched in July 2015 and replaced Windows 8. Users can upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware meets the minimum specifications, which include a 1 GHz CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage, along with a second-generation Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and UEFI BIOS capable of secure boot. Many older PCs may not qualify for the upgrade, requiring at least an 8th Gen Intel processor or a Zen+ AMD processor. Users can also consider installing Linux distributions like Ubuntu or ChromeOS on older PCs. Remaining on Windows 10 after support ends poses security risks and limits access to updates.
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