system efficiency Archives

Tech Optimizer

January 12, 2026

Percona launches fixed-scope packages for open databases

Percona has launched Percona Packages, a suite of consulting and support services for database and IT teams using open-source systems. The initial offerings include: 1. **Quickstart**: Prepares database environments for high-demand periods with proactive optimization, a health check, and three months of expert support. 2. **Performance Optimization**: Identifies and resolves database performance issues, including slow queries and configuration problems, through hands-on tuning and best-practice guidance. 3. **AI Readiness**: Tailored for PostgreSQL, this package optimizes databases for AI workloads, featuring performance metrics analysis and benchmarks. These packages aim to address the skills shortage in data engineering and management, supporting various open-source database technologies like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, and Valkey. The services are designed to help organizations prepare for peak usage and improve ongoing performance, allowing them to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure.

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 Critics argue that using outdated hardware for testing is not representative, suggesting that a fair comparison would involve flagship devices from each generation.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.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

Windows 11 finishes an embarrassing last in speed test of six Windows generations — but there’s a big catch

A YouTuber named TrigrZolt conducted tests comparing six versions of Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10, and 11) using six Lenovo ThinkPad X220 notebooks with Intel Core i5-2520M CPUs, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB HDDs, which do not meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11. Windows 11 ranked last in several metrics, including boot-up speed, memory consumption, and battery life. It was slower than all other versions in opening applications, particularly Paint and File Explorer. However, it ranked fourth in storage efficiency and performed reasonably well in one web-page loading test. The testing conditions, including outdated hardware and the choice of benchmarking applications, may have skewed the results against Windows 11. Users expressed concerns about Windows 11 being bloated and criticized its performance issues.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Microsoft’s ReFS File System Remains Inaccessible to Windows 11 Users

Microsoft's Resilient File System (ReFS) supports volumes up to 35 petabytes and offers robust data protection through checksums and continuous integrity checks, reducing the risk of data corruption. However, Windows 11 defaults to the NTFS file system, requiring users to use command-line tools to access ReFS features, which may deter average consumers. ReFS is primarily designed for Windows Server environments and has not gained popularity among general users. Testing shows that Windows 11 formats new drives as NTFS, making ReFS less accessible. ReFS can experience performance degradation on single-drive consumer PCs compared to NTFS and lacks features like file system compression, encryption, object IDs, and extended attributes, raising compatibility concerns. Microsoft has introduced the Agent Launchers framework for AI agent registration in Windows, amidst user backlash regarding the evolution of Windows into an "agentic OS." The Windows and Devices segment generated .3 billion in the last fiscal year, remaining flat over three years, while Gaming and LinkedIn generated higher revenues. Users have reported frequent feature changes and declining quality in Windows 11, with Microsoft's Controlled Feature Rollout system causing inconsistencies across devices. ReFS is accessible through the Dev Drive feature in Windows 11, which prioritizes performance over security. Microsoft faces competition from various fronts, including Valve's SteamOS, Apple's upcoming MacBook, and Google's Chrome OS, particularly in the education sector.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

New testing finds SteamOS easily dominates Windows for gaming

Ars Technica conducted a comparison between SteamOS and Windows 11 using the Lenovo Legion Go S handheld. The testing revealed that SteamOS 3.7 generally outperformed Windows 11 in recent games, achieving higher average frames per second (fps) without hardware changes. Specifically, SteamOS showed a significant advantage in three out of five tested games, with Cyberpunk 2077 improving from 44.6 fps to 52.4 fps. The only game favoring Windows was Borderlands 3, with a slight advantage of about 1%. SteamOS operates through a Proton translation layer for Windows games, allowing it to outperform Windows 11. Additionally, SteamOS has a more efficient system architecture, resulting in reduced overhead compared to Windows 11. Microsoft is working on optimizations for Windows to address these performance issues.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

How to Stop Android Battery Optimization from Killing Apps

Users and developers managing Android devices must navigate the balance between battery life and app functionality. Android's aggressive power-saving features can mute notifications or suspend background processes, leading to a state known as “sleeping.” To maintain app functionality, users can exempt specific applications from battery optimization through the Settings app under “Battery” or “Apps & notifications.” This feature, introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, allows apps to operate seamlessly in the background. For example, disabling sleep mode for essential apps like WhatsApp can prevent missed notifications. Samsung's Adaptive Battery is particularly aggressive, often pushing unused apps into a “deep sleep” state after a few days, which can disrupt vital functions. Users may need to manually exempt applications in Samsung’s “Device care” settings. Other manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi impose similar restrictions, while Google’s stock Android offers more straightforward adjustments. Developers can incorporate foreground services or request permissions like “android.permission.WAKE_LOCK” to keep apps awake, balancing user privacy and battery health. Android’s Doze mode activates during inactivity and organizes background tasks into maintenance windows, but apps can request exemptions. Monitoring battery usage statistics can help identify problematic apps. In enterprise environments, tools like Ivanti’s mobile device management can automate these settings. Combining exemptions with notification settings ensures that apps remain active, although blanket exemptions may lead to faster battery depletion. The dynamic between operating system efficiency and app demands continues to evolve, particularly with Android 14’s enhanced foreground service requirements.

Winsage

September 5, 2025

Do these 6 things instead of using a “light” Windows build

Windows 11 has been criticized for bloat and unnecessary features that can hinder performance. Users can improve their experience by uninstalling unused applications, disabling unnecessary startup apps, turning off Windows Search and other services, using debloating programs, or considering Atlas OS for a more extensive debloating solution. Alternatives like Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Linux Mint) are also available for those seeking less bloated operating systems.

Tech Optimizer

August 2, 2025

Best Antivirus Software 2025 Revealed: Why Experts Crown Avast as Ultimate Security Champion

Software Experts has recognized Avast as the Best Antivirus in its latest evaluation, highlighting its exceptional threat detection capabilities, extensive platform support, and comprehensive privacy features. Avast offers real-time antivirus, privacy, and performance solutions across various devices, including a multi-device plan that accommodates up to 10 devices. The newly introduced Scam Guardian Pro feature provides multi-layered defense against online scams. Avast Ultimate includes Premium Security, SecureLine VPN, AntiTrack, and Cleanup Premium for enhanced protection and performance. Avast has received multiple third-party certifications, including the Best MacOS Security Award from AV-Test in 2024 and a perfect score of 30 out of 30 in protection, performance, and usability. In 2023, it was recognized as a Top-Rated Product by AV-Comparatives and awarded an A+ grade by Virus Bulletin for its malware detection rate. Avast's software supports over 435 million users globally and has been certified by leading independent laboratories.

Tech Optimizer

July 14, 2025

The performance engineer: a detective licensed to kill… bottlenecks

A SQL query initially took fifteen hours to process, but after performance engineering adjustments by Vadim Laktushin, it was reduced to two minutes. Performance engineers (PEs) work to enhance IT system efficiency by identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks in application code, database management systems, configurations, and hardware. Vadim transitioned from a developer to a performance specialist at Postgres Professional after exploring benchmarks and system tuning. Performance issues often require complex solutions rather than straightforward fixes. For example, a client migrating from Oracle to PostgreSQL faced delays due to the Write-Ahead Log (WAL), which became a bottleneck during heavy write operations. PEs adhere to principles such as proactive analysis, reliance on data, and caution against quick fixes. Essential skills for PEs include programming, Linux expertise, understanding algorithms, statistical thinking, and effective communication. The future of performance engineering may involve specialization, and while AI can assist, it cannot replace human expertise in optimization tasks.

Tech Optimizer

June 28, 2025

Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac

Windows is the primary target for malware attacks, leading to a focus on antivirus applications for the platform, while macOS users have fewer options. Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac offers robust cross-platform protection and has received perfect scores from independent testing labs, excelling in phishing protection. It is priced at approximately .99 annually for a single license and .99 for a five-license subscription. Norton supports the latest three macOS versions: Sequoia (15), Sonoma (14), and Ventura (13). The Gen stack, a new antivirus engine, consolidates technology from Norton, Avast, and AVG, ensuring consistent performance. Norton achieved a perfect score of 18 points in independent testing, with a 100% detection rate for Mac malware and Windows-specific threats. It offers flexible scanning options, with quick scans completing in 30 seconds and full scans in 27 minutes. Norton has a 100% detection rate for phishing sites and includes a smart firewall and intrusion prevention system. Its password manager offers basic functions but lacks advanced features. Norton Genie is an AI-based scam detection tool integrated into the ecosystem. The software includes performance improvement tools like File Cleanup and Startup Manager, but privacy components require separate purchases.