testing methodologies Archives

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Windows Insider Program: What is it and why you should consider joining it (and few reasons you shouldn’t)

The Windows Insider Program allows users to explore unreleased features of Microsoft's Windows operating system by enrolling in various channels. To join, Windows 11 users can go to Settings >> Windows Update and select Windows Insider Program, enabling optional diagnostic data sharing with Microsoft. There are four channels to choose from: 1. Canary Channel: For technical users wanting to preview early-stage features, often unstable. 2. Dev Channel: More stable than Canary, includes features under consideration for future releases. 3. Beta Channel: Recommended for most users, offers a balance of stability and innovation with features likely to be rolled out to all users. 4. Release Preview Channel: The most stable option, providing a preview of the next major release with tested functionalities. Reasons to join include early access to new features, the ability to provide feedback to Microsoft, professional advantages for IT administrators, community engagement, and skill improvement. However, drawbacks include potential system instability and bugs, as well as privacy concerns related to sharing diagnostic data.

Tech Optimizer

March 7, 2025

Webroot Premium

PCMag editors independently select and review products. Webroot Premium combines device-level protection with identity theft tracking and remediation, but its antivirus protection is limited compared to competitors. Webroot Premium costs .99 per year for five devices and one identity, with a family edition available for .99 covering ten devices and identities. Other competitors like Bitdefender Ultimate Security and Norton 360 With LifeLock offer more comprehensive features at similar price points. Webroot AntiVirus has been rebranded as Webroot Essentials, and older versions have been phased out. The installation process for Webroot Premium is straightforward, and it includes a firewall that monitors network activity. Webroot's antivirus effectively identifies malware, achieving a 100% detection rate in tests. It also offers a secure deletion tool and basic identity protection features, including credit monitoring, transaction monitoring, and dark web monitoring, though these features are less comprehensive than those of competitors. Webroot provides 24/7 support for identity restoration, with a monetary guarantee for remediation services up to million for ten family members. Overall, while Webroot Premium offers solid antivirus protection, its identity protection capabilities are limited compared to other security suites.

Tech Optimizer

November 27, 2024

Top 5 Free Antivirus Protection Programs (2025)

Free antivirus software provides essential protection against viruses, malware, and online threats without cost. Key features often include real-time scanning, automated updates, and basic security measures. Notable free antivirus programs for 2025 include: - Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition: Offers real-time protection, on-demand scanning, and anti-phishing features with low system impact. - Avira Free Security: Includes real-time protection, web protection, a VPN, a password manager, and a system optimizer. - Sophos Home Free: A cloud-managed solution that uses AI for threat detection and includes parental controls. - AVG AntiVirus Free: Known for reliable protection against malware and includes a ransomware decryption tool. - Microsoft Defender: Built into Windows, it provides decent protection and receives regular updates. Choosing the right antivirus depends on individual needs; options vary in features and performance impact. Free antivirus programs typically lack advanced features found in paid versions, such as comprehensive malware detection, firewall protection, and priority customer support. Independent labs test antivirus software for effectiveness, focusing on detection rates, false positives, and performance impact. Some free antivirus tools offer additional features like password managers and limited VPN access, but many advanced functions require payment. Overall, while free antivirus solutions may not be as comprehensive as paid options, they still provide solid protection for everyday users.

Winsage

September 3, 2024

The AMD Zen 5 Gaming postmortem: Larger generational gains than many reported, game-boosting Windows Update tested, Ryzen 5 7600X3D gaming benchmarks, too | Tom’s Hardware

AMD launched the Zen 5-powered Ryzen 9000 processors, facing initial challenges including delayed sample deliveries and disappointing early reviews that reported minimal performance improvements in gaming. However, retesting showed that the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X outperformed their predecessors by approximately 12%. The Ryzen 7 9700X achieved a 9.3% gain and the Ryzen 5 9600X reached a 10% increase under stock configurations, while gains diminished to 6.6% and 7.8% with AMD’s Expo memory overclocking. Built-in benchmarks indicated higher generational performance compared to custom game scenes, with built-in benchmarks showing an 11.00% gain for the Ryzen 7 9700X versus an 8.50% increase in custom scenes. The Windows 11 23H2 update positively impacted AMD’s performance, while Intel's performance gains from the same update were minimal, with the Core i9-14900K and Core i5-14600K showing no substantial improvements.

Winsage

August 22, 2024

AMD talks Ryzen 9000 controversy: ‘We were as puzzled’ as reviewers

AMD's launch of the Ryzen 9000 desktop processors revealed performance discrepancies between the company's marketing claims and independent reviewer results. AMD identified several factors contributing to these differences, including variations in Windows operating modes, VBS security settings, Intel system configurations, and game selections for benchmarking. The company used an automated testing framework in Super Admin mode, which allowed for optimizations not present in the standard user mode used by reviewers. This led to inflated performance numbers that did not account for the differences between the two modes. AMD's David McAfee stated that the gap in performance between Super Admin and user modes had widened over time, which they had not anticipated. Additionally, the selection of games and specific scenes for benchmarking significantly impacted performance results. McAfee clarified that AMD did not blame reviewers for the discrepancies, attributing them instead to its own testing decisions. AMD is committed to refining its testing methodologies for better alignment with real-world user experiences.