performance benchmarks Archives

Winsage

February 11, 2026

This Smartphone Lets You Use Windows, But Is Far From A New Windows Phone

Microsoft discontinued Windows Phone in 2017, a decision regretted by CEO Satya Nadella. Nex Computer is now taking pre-orders for the NexPhone, which aims to run Android, Linux, and Windows 11. The device features a custom Mobile UI designed for touch interactions, reminiscent of Windows Phone. When connected to an external display, it offers full Windows 11 capabilities but lacks cellular connectivity in Windows mode. The NexPhone is not intended to replace primary smartphones but serves as a secondary option with mid-range performance, powered by Qualcomm's DragonWing QCM6490 chip, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. It operates on Windows for Arm, which may present compatibility issues. While in Windows mode, cellular calling and SMS functions are unavailable, requiring users to switch to Android for those features. The device has a rugged design with military-grade build quality, a 120 Hz 6.58-inch display, a 64 MP main camera, and a 5,000 mAh battery, priced at 9.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Windows 11 Reaches 1 Billion Users in 1,576 Days — Faster Than Windows 10

Microsoft reported that Windows 11 has reached one billion users worldwide in 1,576 days, surpassing the 1,706 days it took Windows 10 to achieve the same milestone. CEO Satya Nadella highlighted this as a significant milestone for the Windows brand. Windows 11 was launched on October 5, 2021, and has undergone significant evolution, despite facing challenges such as bugs and system crashes. Microsoft plans to maintain Windows 11 as a long-term version, delaying the introduction of a successor. In the latest quarterly results, Windows reported a 5% year-over-year growth, which was below Microsoft's expectations.

Winsage

January 26, 2026

Your first Windows on ARM gaming laptop may be a Lenovo Legion

Lenovo is potentially leading the transition of Windows on ARM gaming laptops to mainstream offerings, with indications of a new Legion 7 model featuring NVIDIA’s N1X designation. The naming conventions of Lenovo's products suggest a broader strategy, as recent discoveries show multiple models with N1 and N1X tags across various product families. The Legion 7, a 15-inch model, stands out as it signifies a commitment to high performance. However, challenges remain regarding Windows gaming on ARM, particularly in terms of driver compatibility and performance across major titles. The significance of the Legion branding suggests confidence in the gaming experience on this platform. Confirmation of specifications and performance benchmarks will be crucial to validate the capabilities of the N1X model. For those prioritizing compatibility, conventional Windows gaming machines are still recommended, but potential buyers should monitor for Legion 7 N1X listings and details.

Winsage

January 20, 2026

NVIDIA-powered Windows on Arm laptops may launch in 2026 — new report suggests it’s actually happening

NVIDIA's N1X laptops are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026, shifting from an initial 2025 timeline. The NVIDIA N1 chip is currently operational in the DGX Spark AI supercomputer, showcasing performance capabilities. The N1X is anticipated to target the high-end market, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips remain aimed at budget-conscious consumers. The introduction of N1X-powered devices could enhance the Windows on Arm ecosystem and increase competition in the market.

Tech Optimizer

January 20, 2026

10 Best Antivirus Software in 2026 (Tested for Windows, Mac & Mobile)

Antivirus software is still crucial in cybersecurity, with global cybercrime costs estimated at .5 trillion annually. In 2026, various antivirus options include: 1. Bitdefender: Online protection rate of 99.97% as of March 2025; free version available; paid plans start from .99. 2. Norton: Offers real-time protection, password manager, and cloud backup; plans start at an unspecified price. 3. Avast: Ideal for beginners; free version available; paid plans start around .88 per year. 4. McAfee: Unlimited device protection with privacy features; plans start from .99 per year. 5. Avira: Strong free option with real-time protection; free tier available; paid plans start at an unspecified price. 6. TotalAV: Reliable across multiple platforms with ad and browser protection; starting price around to . 7. Aura Antivirus: Focuses on identity security with credit monitoring; individual plan around .99/year. 8. Surfshark Antivirus: Bundled with VPN and privacy tools; approximately .49/month on a 27-month plan. 9. MacKeeper: Tailored for macOS with optimization tools; starting price around .95 to .95 per month. 10. AVG: Lightweight with high performance; free tier available; AVG Internet Security priced around .99 for the first year. Built-in functions can help remove malware without antivirus software.

Tech Optimizer

November 24, 2025

Ditching Antivirus: Why One Tech Writer’s PC Got Safer Without It

A writer from MakeUseOf uninstalled all third-party antivirus programs from his Windows PC and found that the system performed better and appeared more secure with Microsoft’s built-in Windows Defender. The experiment highlighted Defender's effectiveness, showing fewer false positives, improved performance, and no noticeable decline in protection. Independent tests ranked Defender highly in real-world protection, and it achieved perfect scores in recent AV-TEST evaluations. The removal of third-party antivirus software led to a significant decrease in CPU and RAM usage, with idle consumption dropping from 15-20% to under 5%. Despite 121 million Americans still using third-party tools, there is growing consideration for Defender due to its free and efficient nature. While Defender excels in many areas, experts caution that it may not fully protect against zero-day vulnerabilities, and layered defenses are still recommended. The antivirus market may face disruption as integrated protection becomes more common, and user feedback indicates a preference for free alternatives that match or exceed the performance of paid solutions.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

Qualcomm says 90% of top Windows games will run on Snapdragon X2 laptops — is Windows on Arm gaming finally here?

Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme, which are expected to significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of Windows laptops. Initial benchmarks show that the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme performs well in single-core, multi-core, and GPU metrics, making it suitable for both productivity and gaming. Over 90% of the most played Windows games will be compatible at launch on devices using these new processors, which offer up to 2.3 times higher efficiency than previous models. Qualcomm has also launched the Snapdragon Control Panel to optimize game performance and ensure up-to-date drivers. The Snapdragon X2 Elite supports AVX2 emulation for running certain games via Microsoft's Prism Emulator, and there is ongoing development of kernel-level anti-cheat support for Windows on Snapdragon. Microsoft reports that 90% of user activity on Windows 11 on ARM involves native applications, indicating improved compatibility. New laptops featuring these Snapdragon processors are expected to debut in the first half of 2026, with previews potentially at CES in January.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 PC Performance Analysis

Activision has released Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, utilizing the IW Engine. Performance benchmarks were conducted using high-end hardware, including the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and various graphics cards such as the AMD Radeon RX 6900XT and NVIDIA RTX 4090, on a Windows 10 system. The game features over 300 customizable settings for PC gamers and supports Intel XeSS and AMD FSR 4.0. Ray Tracing is available in Multiplayer and Zombies modes but not in the Campaign. All tested GPUs achieved over 60 FPS at 1080p on maximum settings, with AMD hardware showing superior performance. At 1440p, most GPUs maintained smooth gameplay, except for the NVIDIA RTX 2080Ti. At Native 4K, the top five GPUs exceeded 60 FPS, with AMD GPUs performing well against NVIDIA counterparts. The game has visual appeal but suffers from pop-in issues and inconsistent texture quality. Gameplay is smooth with minimal stuttering and responsive controls. Overall, the game performs well across various PC configurations, though its visual quality may not meet franchise expectations.

Tech Optimizer

October 31, 2025

PC Matic Pricing and Review 2025

PC Matic features a whitelisting security model and robust protection against fileless malware, which embeds in legitimate programs to evade detection. It offers various scanning options: full scan, quick scan, selective scan, and scheduled scans, with competitive scan durations. The software is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, although the free version is limited to Windows. Automated updates monitor and install updates for all applications and drivers to enhance security. PC Matic includes a VPN service with AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy, supporting up to 10 devices. Dark web monitoring alerts users to potential identity theft by scanning for personally identifiable information. It features ad blocking to filter intrusive ads and includes optimization tools like registry cleaning, junk file removal, and performance benchmarks, though these tools are only available for Windows devices.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Leak claims new Intel gaming CPUs could be even slower than its current ones, which is pretty disappointing

Intel is set to launch its Core Ultra 300 series CPUs in early 2026, featuring the new 18A manufacturing process and built on the Panther Lake architecture. The series includes the Intel Core Ultra X7 385H and Core Ultra 5 338H, with performance benchmarks revealing that the X7 385H achieved a score of 20,000 in Cinebench R23 at 65W, while the Core Ultra 5 338H scored 16,000 points. The X7 385H's integrated GPU scored 6,830 in 3DMark Time Spy, nearly double that of its predecessor, but still behind dedicated GPUs like the RTX 5050. The core configuration of the X7 385H includes four performance cores, eight efficiency cores, and four low-power efficiency cores, which may contribute to its lower CPU performance compared to the Core Ultra 7 255H.