Wi-Fi 6E Archives

Winsage

April 7, 2025

Windows 365 Link Cloud PC now available for $349.99

Microsoft has launched the Windows 365 Link, its first cloud PC, available for purchase in the U.S. at a price of .99. The device features an Intel N250 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 64GB of UFS storage. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-A 3.2 Gen1, USB-A 3.2 Gen2, USB-C 3.2, Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.4. It measures 120 x 120 x 30mm. The device requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance, and its hardware specifications may not meet the demands of intensive tasks. In comparison, Apple's Mac Mini, priced at 9, features an M2 chip, 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of SSD storage. Microsoft claims that Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop can save employees 6 to 12 minutes daily and organizations between .1M and .2M over three years through BYOPC programs. The Windows 365 Link is aimed at businesses integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, offering a cost-effective solution for cloud-managed workstations.

Winsage

December 20, 2024

Can Microsoft convince gamers to upgrade to Windows 11?

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 before the end of support in October 2025. Key gaming features of Windows 11 include Auto HDR, DirectStorage, Game Bar Compact Mode, Dynamic Lighting, optimizations for windowed games, an HDR calibration app, advanced hybrid support, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 support, color filters for colorblind players, automatic super resolution for Arm Copilot+ PCs, and the Xbox app on Windows PC. Windows 11 has a 52.48% market share among Steam users as of November 2024, surpassing Windows 10 in mid-2024. Currently, Windows 10 holds a 61.82% market share while Windows 11 is at 34.94%. Gamers are adopting Windows 11 faster than the general user base.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

Elevate your PC gaming experience with Windows 11 this holiday season

Windows 11 offers new gaming experiences for PC Game Pass subscribers, including titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™. Key features include: - Auto HDR: Enhances SDR games to HDR for improved colors and contrasts. - DirectStorage: Reduces load times using NVMe SSDs, optimizing data loading for better performance. - Game Bar Compact Mode: Simplifies navigation on smaller screens, providing quick access to games and performance metrics. - Dynamic Lighting: Allows synchronization and customization of RGB lighting across devices. - Optimizations for Windowed Games: Introduces Variable Rate Refresh (VRR) to reduce tearing and stuttering in windowed modes. - Advanced Hybrid (CASO)/UMA: Improves performance on hybrid laptops with integrated and discrete GPUs. - Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 support: Enhances online gaming with faster speeds and lower latency. - Color filters for colorblind players: Helps colorblind players differentiate colors while improving frame rates. - Automatic Super Resolution for Arm Copilot+ PCs: Upscales lower-resolution content in real-time. - Xbox app on Windows PC: Manages PC gaming content and facilitates cloud gaming and cross-platform connections.

Winsage

December 10, 2024

Our favorite mini PC is affordable and perfect for photo and video editing — Right now, you can get it at a special low price with this coupon code

The Geekom A8 mini PC features a Ryzen 7 CPU and Radeon 780M integrated graphics, making it suitable for tasks like web browsing, media streaming, and photo/video editing. It runs on Windows 11 Home and offers options for AMD R9-8945HS or R7-8845HS CPUs with a TDP of 45W, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and PCIe Gen 4 storage ranging from 1TB to 2TB. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and various ports: 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-A 2.0, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB4 Gen 3, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x RJ45, and 2x HDMI 2.0. The A8 is currently available for 9.00, discounted to 9.00 with the code WINDOWSA8R7. The package includes a VESA mount, manual, HDMI cable, and power adapter, but users must provide their own keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The A8 received a four and a half-star review for its performance and port availability.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Microsoft is launching a $349 desktop PC that only runs Windows 11 by streaming it from the cloud — is this the future of desktop computing?

Microsoft has introduced its first dedicated desktop PC, the Windows 365 Link, priced at 9, set to launch in April 2025. This device operates exclusively through cloud technology, utilizing Windows 11 via the Windows 365 platform and is designed for enterprise customers. It measures 120 x 120 x 30 mm, features a fanless design, rapid boot times, and instant wake capabilities. It supports dual 4K displays and includes three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, an audio jack, an Ethernet jack, DisplayPort, and HDMI. The device is powered by an Intel processor with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, relying on a constant internet connection to function. It will leverage Copilot+ features for enhanced functionalities and is expected to run a lightweight version of Windows, potentially based on the CorePC edition codenamed NXT. The Windows 365 Link aims to redefine the desktop experience, particularly in schools and flexible workspaces, catering to the growing trend of cloud computing.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

“Windows 365 Link” is Microsoft’s $349 thin client for Windows in the cloud

Microsoft is launching the Windows 365 Link in April at a price of . The device is a compact black box designed to connect to the Windows 365 cloud service, rather than operating Windows locally. It features a user-friendly interface with a single USB-A port on the front and multiple connectivity options on the rear, including one USB-C 3.2 port, two USB-A ports, a full-size DisplayPort, a full-size HDMI port, an Ethernet port, and a power jack. The Windows 365 Link operates without a fan, is powered by an unspecified Intel processor, and includes 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It runs a streamlined version of Windows and supports dual 4K displays. The device includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity and is designed for efficient integration with desktop peripherals and network connections.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Microsoft announces Mac mini-sized PC, but it only works online

Microsoft has introduced the "Windows 365 Link" at the Microsoft Ignite 2024 conference. This device is designed to operate solely through cloud connectivity, unlike the standalone Mac mini. The Windows 365 Link is a compact black box with 8GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and an unspecified Intel processor. It features a USB-C port, two USB-A ports, DisplayPort, HDMI, and Ethernet, and supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Targeted at corporate clients, it aims to provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional hardware by serving as a gateway for running cloud virtual machines. The device will launch next year, retailing for 9, with a Windows 365 subscription required starting at per month.

Winsage

November 19, 2024

Microsoft goes thin client with $349 Windows 365 Link

Microsoft is introducing the Windows 365 Link, a fanless device designed to connect users to a Windows desktop hosted in the Microsoft cloud, currently in preview. It operates without local apps or storage but offers local processing for high-fidelity experiences like WebEx or Teams. The device includes dual 4K monitor support, four USB ports, an audio port, an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. It is priced at 9, set for general availability in April 2025, which is significantly higher than competitors like Dell's OptiPlex 3000 Thin Client, priced around 9. The Windows 365 Link does not carry the Surface branding, and it is unclear if the price includes a Windows 365 license. Windows 365 subscriptions range from to 2 per user per month. The device is made from environmentally friendly materials, with a top shield of 90% post-consumer recycled aluminum alloy and a bottom plate of 100% pre-consumer recycled aluminum alloy. It is available in preview across several countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The device may serve as a desktop replacement for organizations within the Microsoft ecosystem but lacks mobility and traditional PC functionality.

BetaBeacon

October 30, 2024

Meta’s leaked ‘Avalanche’ could bring back Oculus Rift games, but I want more

Meta is actively working on bringing cloud VR gaming to Meta Quest, with a leaked app called Avalanche appearing briefly on the Quest Store. The company intends to launch cloud streaming on Quest when it's consumer-ready, enabling higher graphics than the Snapdragon XR2 on the Quest 3 and Quest 3S can natively handle. The challenges ahead include dealing with latency and high ping that comes with cloud streaming. The author dreams of a partnership between Meta and Microsoft to stream VR ports of popular first-person titles on Quest, such as Minecraft, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Forza, and Halo.

Winsage

October 8, 2024

Windows 11 is getting 6GHz hotspot support, here is how to try it

Microsoft has introduced support for Wi-Fi 7 in Windows 11 version 24H2, allowing users with compatible hardware to utilize enhanced network capabilities. A new feature in public preview builds enables users to share their internet connection via a 6GHz hotspot, in addition to the existing 5GHz and 2.4GHz options. This capability is available in Windows 11 build 26120.1912 and later versions, and users can enable it using the ViVeTool application. To do so, users must download ViVeTool, open Command Prompt with Administrator privileges, navigate to the ViVeTool folder, and enter the command to enable the feature. Restarting the computer is necessary to apply changes. Compatible hardware, specifically a Wi-Fi 6E-compatible network card, is required to use the 6GHz hotspot, as older network cards will only support 5GHz or 2.4GHz hotspots. Not all Wi-Fi 6E network cards support the 6GHz hotspot functionality. Users can enable 6GHz tethering through Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot > Network Properties.