hardware compatability

windows11desktop

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Windows 11 is here

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By Aysë Stenabaugh

On October 5th Microsoft released their surprise Operating System Windows 11. Like many users, you may find yourself wondering if Windows 11 is right for you, how you will install it, and whether your device is even compatible. Upgrading your device is usually a fairly straightforward process however Windows 11 brings in a new set of system requirements that cause many Windows 10 machines that are currently being used to fall short, mainly due to increased security.

Will you be able to upgrade to Windows 11? The easiest way to answer that question is to download the compatibility checker which can be found by visiting hwww.microsoft.com/windows/get-windows-11 from there you can download the PC Health Check app. Once installed clicking on the check now button will let you know if your system meets the system requirements. You will see a checklist of all the minimum system requirements which include; support for secure boot, TPM 2.0 enabled, a supported processor or CPU with 2 or more cores over 1GHz, 4GB of RAM and a 64GB or larger hard drive.

 

Can your computer be upgraded to meet the Windows 11 system requirements? Most if not all laptops or all-in-one computers that do not meet the minimum system requirements can’t be upgraded to become compatible with Windows 11. Some devices may have the capability to utilize the security features required for Windows 11 but may not be enabled to do so. Desktop computers that don’t meet the minimum requirements for the CPU could be upgraded by replacing several components typically this includes the motherboard, CPU and memory.

Do you need to upgrade to Windows 11? The short answer is no, not right now, the long answer is yes, eventually. Currently, Windows 10 is still supported and will be until at least October 14, 2025. This means users will continue to get free updates and mainstream support from Microsoft. Microsoft will continue to fix bugs and patch security flaws until October 2025. When that time comes, if Microsoft doesn’t extended support and if you haven’t already switched to Windows 11 your device may not be safe to use online especially if you store important personal information or do online banking or shopping.

Should you upgrade to Windows 11? Most users will want to avoid upgrading right away especially those who rely on their computer for business or school. Switching to a new operating system can be unpredictable and fully backing up your computer before proceeding is highly recommended. Software and hardware that works in Windows 10 should work with Windows 11 but rarely is the transition ever without issues. For example, many users found when they upgraded from a previous operating system to Windows 11 that their existing printers were not compatible or did not yet have drivers released to help them function properly.

What are some of the new additions to Windows 11? The new OS brings a slew of new features that are designed to make computing a seamless experience when using multiple devices or working remotely. Android app integration brings a multitude of new apps and features to the table. Users will find switching between apps and screens much easier with new windows snapping and application grouping. There are several new design elements integrated into Windows 11 including a now centered taskbar with a fully redesigned “start menu” that bears an awful lot of resemblance with Mac OS and Widgets that can be accessed directly from the taskbar. Users with touch screens or tablet devices will see a major improvement with ease of access with touch interaction.  

What features from Windows 10 have been removed from Windows 11? Many removed features were found to be less than thrilling and in turn, the following used features have been eliminated from the new OS. The timeline which allowed users to view a 30 day history of across all of your devices where logged into your Microsoft Account is no longer found in Windows 11. Live tiles and tablet mode have both been nixed as well in favor of the new more touch-friendly design. At least at the initial launch, Windows 11 users will find that the taskbar is staying put, users can no longer move the taskbar to the left, right or top of the screen. Cortana and several pre-installed apps including skype are missing from Windows 11 and the now antiquated Internet Explorer browser has been removed completely in favor of Microsoft’s Edge browser.

Ultimately only you can decide if Windows 11 is right for you when it becomes available. At Jester’s Computers, we understand that computers can be frustrating. If you find that your device is not compatible with Windows 11 and are interested in upgrading or are in need of general computer support or repair, you can visit our website at www.jesterscomputers.com. Our shop is located at 5135 Fairfield Road in Fairfield PA we open Monday through Friday 9 am until 5 pm with extended hours until 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To contact us please call or text 717-642-6611 or email us at customerservice@jesterscomputers.com

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All PC Hardware Are Not Equal

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By Aysë Stenabaugh 

If you have ever gone shopping for a new computer only to find yourself overwhelmed, you are certainly not alone. Purchasing a computer-based on price alone is typically not a good idea. A computer is meant to make things easier, not more frustrating. Often inexpensive or discounted computers lack in performance or include outdated hardware. While you might not need the fastest computer or the latest technology it’s better to invest in a machine that will last into the future. With the announcement of Windows 11 and the stricter CPU requirements, we are finding that even many of the new computers being sold in stores now, won’t be able to run the new operating system. 

CPUs or the Central Processing Units are the brainpower behind a computer. Choosing a computer system with enough power to perform the tasks you wish to complete is very important since on most laptops the CPU is soldered to the motherboard and on desktops, you won’t be likely to want to upgrade that component due to expense and possible hardware configuration conflicts. Processors are rated in GHz or Gigahertz often ranging between 1 GHz and 4Ghz the higher the number the faster the processing speed. Today CPUs are made with multiple cores which divide up processing power. As mentioned in last month’s article Windows 11 will require Quad Core processors which means users with devices with unsupported processors will not be able to upgrade from Windows 10 when the free upgrade becomes available. 

Hard Drives are where data including your Operating System, Programs, and personal files are stored. One would expect that manufacturers would be using the faster hard drive speeds available especially since consumer part prices are often better for newer technology but often, they are not. We have been finding even brand name computers like HP are selling new computers with old technology hard drives that can contain moving parts that can experience mechanical failure. Most often on the PCs bought in a store, the label will only display the storage capacity; new computers typically come pre-installed with drives able to store between 128 GB or Gigabytes to 1TB or Terabyte of data. More storage space does not equate to more speed. 

RAM there are two different physical sizes of RAM or memory which won’t matter much when purchasing a new computer. One or more memory modules may be installed to reach the total amount of memory installed. Most chips will contain between 1GB and 16GB of memory. There are different generations of memory that also determine the range of speeds that they support. DDR3 memory is still very common with the newest RAM technology being DDR4 memory. 

Graphics can either be integrated (built into the CPU) or if better quality graphics are desired, through an installed supported GPU (graphics card). While a GPU can be added later for desktop machines, there are several things you will want to consider in advance including power, motherboard support and physical space for a card must be considered in advance. If you intended on gaming or doing any photo/video rendering or editing you will want to consider any minimum graphics requirements along with how much you wish to invest. 

Motherboards are where the components listed above as well as the Power Supply are connected.  Motherboards can come in different physical sizes and can support varying features. For example. while all laptops support Wi-Fi, not all desktops do. Some devices have only a few USBs and may not support newer faster technology such as USB 3.2. Windows 11 will also require something called Trusted Platform Module which may not be supported on older motherboards. 

The overview above just scratches the surface on understanding some of the differences that one can find among seemingly similar hardware. It’s important to note that older hardware regardless of compatibility with Windows 11 will have less support and thus will potentially experience unresolved hardware and software issues. If you rely heavily on your computer having newer hardware can provide an overall better experience. 

If you find yourself looking to purchase a new computer, consider contacting us at Jester’s Computers. We can help you with purchasing a new laptop to meet your needs or even better, build you a custom desktop PC with quality parts and the latest technology supported by Windows 11. For over 20 years our family-owned and operated business has provided affordable quality computer repair and support services.