Windows 11 has emerged at the center of Microsoft’s efforts to reimagine PC computing, distinguishing itself not only as the successor to Windows 10 but also as a standard-bearer for AI-first hardware and software integration. As the lifecycle of Windows 10 draws to a close, the debate over Windows 11’s merits is heating up, fueled by Microsoft’s bold claims about performance, battery life, and security. The company’s latest assertion—“Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3 times faster than Windows 10 PCs”—has been both headline-grabbing and controversial. Unpacking this claim requires a careful examination of Microsoft’s methodology, the evolving hardware landscape, and the broader context of the Windows ecosystem.
Microsoft’s performance comparison emerges from benchmark tests, notably using the Procyon Office tool and Geekbench 6, as reported in a comprehensive Windows Latest review. The company compared systems running Windows 10 with 6th-, 8th-, and 10th-generation Intel processors against Windows 11 PCs sporting 12th- and 13th-generation chips. Unsurprisingly, the newer systems outpaced their predecessors, with Microsoft pointing to “up to 2.3x” faster performance in office tasks and multi-core workloads. Contextual footnotes abound in the data, noting that performance varies “significantly by device, settings, usage, and other factors.”
Critically, Microsoft is not comparing identical hardware with only the OS swapped—a traditional apples-to-apples standard, especially valued by IT professionals and reviewers seeking objective software improvements. Instead, the performance leap is a function of both advances in silicon (new CPUs, AI accelerators) and software optimization. This approach, while defensible in the context of forward-looking PC sales, risks conflating the advantages of modern hardware with the benefits conferred solely by Windows 11 itself. For users with existing, older PCs considering an OS upgrade versus a hardware purchase, this distinction is vital. In short, most of the “2.3x” improvement is hardware-driven, though Windows 11 does layer additional efficiency enhancements that would show up even on equivalent machines.
A key feature for enterprise and remote workers is that update installs can often complete while the machine is in “Modern Standby” or sleep mode. This allows for a more seamless workflow, as users are less likely to be interrupted by update windows during active sessions. Microsoft claims these optimizations contribute to “quicker response time when in sleep mode, faster web browsing, and overall improved performance.” These gains are further complemented by new machine learning-driven features such as Recommendations and more aggressive background process throttling, which collectively can trim power draw and stretch battery life—an effect that’s corroborated by several independent reviews and battery benchmarks.
This advantage stems not solely from Windows 11, but from the synergy of modern processors with improved Windows power management algorithms, better device firmware, and more granular control over background activities. Nonetheless, for professionals on the go and students in all-day classes, the net result is transformative. Where once Windows laptops trailed Apple’s MacBooks in longevity, select Windows 11 devices are rapidly narrowing that gap.
Office productivity benchmarks—using the UL Procyon suite—support claims of up to 2x faster scores on Windows 11 devices compared to older Windows 10 systems. Importantly, the combination of optimized Office apps, deeper integration with cloud services (like OneDrive and Microsoft 365), and hardware-level AI acceleration underpins this boost. Features like natural-language search, context-aware editing, and Copilot-enabled suggestions in Office apps further set Windows 11 apart, especially for knowledge workers handling large volumes of documents, emails, or spreadsheets.
Smart App Control and on-device threat detection, both introduced with Windows 11, offer additional protection, using machine learning to identify suspicious app behavior before malware can strike. While some of these tools are technically available to Windows 10 users with compatible hardware, their default enablement and deeper integration in Windows 11 reduce the attack surface area dramatically.
For IT admins, this translates into fewer urgent patch cycles, lower potential for breaches, and reduced compliance headaches—especially in regulated industries like healthcare and finance.
Recall, for instance, enables users to retrace their digital steps, pulling up documents, web pages, and emails based on remembered context or even vague keywords. This promises to revolutionize workflows for users who juggle dozens of apps and projects. However, early demonstrations and reviews indicate potential privacy risks—if not properly managed, these features could expose a detailed history of user actions to anyone with access to the device. Microsoft’s assurances about on-device encryption and user controls are encouraging, but sustained scrutiny from both privacy advocates and enterprise IT will be necessary.
Copilot+ PCs, a new breed of Windows machines built with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs), are designed to fully exploit these features. According to Microsoft and corroborated by hands-on reports, they offer near-instantaneous AI inference, real-time translation, advanced photo and document search, and superior on-device voice control. Such devices, running Windows 11 out-of-the-box, lay the groundwork for a move toward “AI PCs”—a category expected to dominate the market within the next three years.
Observers note that this “support as a service” approach is not unique to Microsoft; Apple and Google both charge (directly or indirectly) for long-term device support. Yet, the transition also leaves a segment of Windows 10 users—especially those with compatible but aging hardware—grappling with the value proposition of spending money on support versus investing in a new Windows 11 PC.
While workarounds exist, they often come with security or stability trade-offs, and Microsoft has made it clear that unsupported upgrades will not receive updates or security patches. As Windows 10 fades from official support, organizations—especially those in education, healthcare, and government—face expensive decisions to either accelerate hardware refreshes or assume increased security risks.
Battery life extensions and smoother Windows Update experiences do carry over to even midrange machines, but revolutionary gains are reserved for the latest flagship Ultrabooks, 2-in-1s, and Copilot+ PCs. For enterprise users, Windows 11’s manageability and security enhancements deliver long-term peace of mind, justifying their premium in regulated or threat-sensitive environments.
For users concerned about privacy or ongoing support fees, thorough planning and due diligence—especially regarding new AI features and telemetry—are recommended before making the leap. For everyone else, the clock is ticking: as Windows 10 rides into the sunset, Windows 11 stands ready as both Microsoft’s new flagship and a statement about the future of work, play, and creative expression.
As Microsoft continues its campaign to retire Windows 10, the coming months will test whether Windows 11 can deliver not only benchmark-breaking speed but also meaningful, everyday gains for the millions who still rely on their PCs for everything from business to creativity to connection. For now, the promise is undeniable—but so too are the questions that remain.
Source: Windows Latest Microsoft says Windows 11 is better than Windows 10, PCs 2.3 times faster
The 2.3x Speed Claim: Reality or Marketing Spin?
Microsoft’s performance comparison emerges from benchmark tests, notably using the Procyon Office tool and Geekbench 6, as reported in a comprehensive Windows Latest review. The company compared systems running Windows 10 with 6th-, 8th-, and 10th-generation Intel processors against Windows 11 PCs sporting 12th- and 13th-generation chips. Unsurprisingly, the newer systems outpaced their predecessors, with Microsoft pointing to “up to 2.3x” faster performance in office tasks and multi-core workloads. Contextual footnotes abound in the data, noting that performance varies “significantly by device, settings, usage, and other factors.”Critically, Microsoft is not comparing identical hardware with only the OS swapped—a traditional apples-to-apples standard, especially valued by IT professionals and reviewers seeking objective software improvements. Instead, the performance leap is a function of both advances in silicon (new CPUs, AI accelerators) and software optimization. This approach, while defensible in the context of forward-looking PC sales, risks conflating the advantages of modern hardware with the benefits conferred solely by Windows 11 itself. For users with existing, older PCs considering an OS upgrade versus a hardware purchase, this distinction is vital. In short, most of the “2.3x” improvement is hardware-driven, though Windows 11 does layer additional efficiency enhancements that would show up even on equivalent machines.
Windows Update and Efficiency: Beyond Raw Speed
Microsoft also touts tangible enhancements within Windows Update—citing faster download and install times, smaller update sizes, and improved efficiency. These claims are less sensational but arguably more important to the everyday experience of both consumers and IT admins. Windows 11’s approach to update delivery, including cumulative updates and smarter scheduling, delivers real benefits in bandwidth usage, update downtime, and power consumption.A key feature for enterprise and remote workers is that update installs can often complete while the machine is in “Modern Standby” or sleep mode. This allows for a more seamless workflow, as users are less likely to be interrupted by update windows during active sessions. Microsoft claims these optimizations contribute to “quicker response time when in sleep mode, faster web browsing, and overall improved performance.” These gains are further complemented by new machine learning-driven features such as Recommendations and more aggressive background process throttling, which collectively can trim power draw and stretch battery life—an effect that’s corroborated by several independent reviews and battery benchmarks.
Battery Life: A Quiet Revolution
Where Windows 11 arguably shows the greatest leap over its predecessor is in battery efficiency, particularly when paired with late-model hardware designed with AI coprocessors and better idle-state management. Microsoft claims up to 2.7 more hours of battery life compared to Windows 10 on the same form factor—a difference that can mean the difference between reaching the end of a long workday unplugged or hunting for a charger. According to tests published by outlets like Windows Latest, a Windows 11 laptop achieved over 20 hours (20.13 hrs) of runtime versus 15.77 hours (a difference of 4.36 hours) on a comparable Windows 10 model.This advantage stems not solely from Windows 11, but from the synergy of modern processors with improved Windows power management algorithms, better device firmware, and more granular control over background activities. Nonetheless, for professionals on the go and students in all-day classes, the net result is transformative. Where once Windows laptops trailed Apple’s MacBooks in longevity, select Windows 11 devices are rapidly narrowing that gap.
Web Browsing and Productivity: The AI Assist
Another highlight of Microsoft’s marketing push is dramatically improved web browsing speed and productivity on Windows 11 machines. Microsoft’s benchmarks using Speedometer (a key browser performance test) found up to a 3.2x increase in web page processing between older Windows 10 (on i3-6100U, i5-10210U chips) and Windows 11 machines (on i5-1335U, Ultra 5 125U CPUs). In the real world, users report not just faster load times in Microsoft Edge but also smoother tab management and scrolling.Office productivity benchmarks—using the UL Procyon suite—support claims of up to 2x faster scores on Windows 11 devices compared to older Windows 10 systems. Importantly, the combination of optimized Office apps, deeper integration with cloud services (like OneDrive and Microsoft 365), and hardware-level AI acceleration underpins this boost. Features like natural-language search, context-aware editing, and Copilot-enabled suggestions in Office apps further set Windows 11 apart, especially for knowledge workers handling large volumes of documents, emails, or spreadsheets.
Security and Manageability: TPM 2.0, VBS, and More
In the race to distinguish Windows 11 from Windows 10, security stands out as an area where the two diverge sharply. Windows 11 enforces modern security baselines via strict hardware requirements—most notably, the mandatory Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0), capable processor and virtualization support, and hardware-enforced stack protection. Microsoft also turns on features like Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), Secure Boot, and Windows Defender System Guard by default, raising the bar against ransomware, firmware exploits, and credential theft.Smart App Control and on-device threat detection, both introduced with Windows 11, offer additional protection, using machine learning to identify suspicious app behavior before malware can strike. While some of these tools are technically available to Windows 10 users with compatible hardware, their default enablement and deeper integration in Windows 11 reduce the attack surface area dramatically.
For IT admins, this translates into fewer urgent patch cycles, lower potential for breaches, and reduced compliance headaches—especially in regulated industries like healthcare and finance.
AI Features: Windows Recall and Copilot+ PCs
AI is the linchpin of Microsoft’s vision for the future of Windows, and Windows 11 is the platform where these ambitions are first realized. Key among these are Recall (a searchable timeline and memory of all on-device activity), deeper Copilot integration across system UI, and “AI inside” features embedded in search, File Explorer, and even accessibility tools.Recall, for instance, enables users to retrace their digital steps, pulling up documents, web pages, and emails based on remembered context or even vague keywords. This promises to revolutionize workflows for users who juggle dozens of apps and projects. However, early demonstrations and reviews indicate potential privacy risks—if not properly managed, these features could expose a detailed history of user actions to anyone with access to the device. Microsoft’s assurances about on-device encryption and user controls are encouraging, but sustained scrutiny from both privacy advocates and enterprise IT will be necessary.
Copilot+ PCs, a new breed of Windows machines built with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs), are designed to fully exploit these features. According to Microsoft and corroborated by hands-on reports, they offer near-instantaneous AI inference, real-time translation, advanced photo and document search, and superior on-device voice control. Such devices, running Windows 11 out-of-the-box, lay the groundwork for a move toward “AI PCs”—a category expected to dominate the market within the next three years.
The $30 Windows 10 Support Option: Bridging the Divide
As support for Windows 10 sunsets, Microsoft is offering users a stark choice: link their Microsoft account and enable sync (for limited support) or pay an annual fee—reportedly $30, or the equivalent in Microsoft Rewards points—for extended support. This strategy, clearly designed to accelerate Windows 11 adoption, signals an end to the extended procrastination that characterized many Windows 7 holdouts. For enterprises with mission-critical legacy applications or devices blocked from upgrading by hardware requirements, the support extension buys time but at a price—one that could mount quickly at enterprise scale.Observers note that this “support as a service” approach is not unique to Microsoft; Apple and Google both charge (directly or indirectly) for long-term device support. Yet, the transition also leaves a segment of Windows 10 users—especially those with compatible but aging hardware—grappling with the value proposition of spending money on support versus investing in a new Windows 11 PC.
Compatibility and the Upgrade Dilemma
For many users, the biggest barrier to adopting Windows 11 is hardware compatibility. The requirement for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot-capable UEFI firmware, and relatively recent CPUs excludes a significant portion of the world’s PC install base. According to independent estimates, as many as 40% of currently deployed business PCs remain ineligible for official Windows 11 upgrades, despite being otherwise healthy and performant.While workarounds exist, they often come with security or stability trade-offs, and Microsoft has made it clear that unsupported upgrades will not receive updates or security patches. As Windows 10 fades from official support, organizations—especially those in education, healthcare, and government—face expensive decisions to either accelerate hardware refreshes or assume increased security risks.
Critical Analysis: Strengths, Risks, and the Road Ahead
The case for Windows 11 as a leap forward is grounded in three pillars: performance, security, and AI-powered productivity. Real-world tests and independent reviews mostly validate Microsoft’s incremental improvements in each area, particularly on hardware engineered for the Windows 11 era.Notable Strengths
- Performance and Battery Life: Measurable gains, especially on new hardware, with Windows 11 devices consistently outlasting and outpacing their Windows 10 counterparts. Performance jumps in daily workflow tasks and content creation are substantiated by devices tested with the latest chips.
- Security Baseline: Enforced security requirements raise the floor for all users, driving down vulnerability rates and aligning Windows with the best practices demanded by today’s digitally accelerated workplace.
- AI Integration: Early adoption of device-level AI opens new possibilities for search, content creation, and accessibility, with Recall and Copilot setting the stage for next-gen personal computing.
Significant Risks
- Comparative Claims: Microsoft’s headline speed numbers risk misleading less technical users, conflating hardware upgrades with software-driven gains. “Up to 2.3x faster” is a function of new silicon more than OS magic.
- Privacy Concerns: AI-powered features like Recall offer productivity wins but require robust, transparent privacy controls. Missteps could erode user trust and expose organizations to compliance risk.
- Forced Hardware Refresh: Strict hardware rules accelerate e-waste and burden users with capable PCs. Bridging tools for those with nearly compatible systems are limited.
- Subscription Creep: Moving support behind a paywall sets a precedent likely to shape future software lifecycles—for better or worse.
Verifiable Facts Versus Hype
To Microsoft’s credit, most of its claims about efficiency, security, and user experience improvements are reproducible on new hardware, as confirmed by independent outlets and benchmarks. The performance gaps, however, largely dissipate when running Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the same contemporary device; in these head-to-head scenarios, differences shrink to single-digit percentage points for most workflows, with standout exceptions for select AI features and power management tweaks.Battery life extensions and smoother Windows Update experiences do carry over to even midrange machines, but revolutionary gains are reserved for the latest flagship Ultrabooks, 2-in-1s, and Copilot+ PCs. For enterprise users, Windows 11’s manageability and security enhancements deliver long-term peace of mind, justifying their premium in regulated or threat-sensitive environments.
The User Perspective: Should You Upgrade?
For individuals and organizations using older, unsupported hardware, the real hurdle to Windows 11 is the cost and logistics of a hardware refresh. Customers with relatively new PCs (certified for Windows 11) will encounter an experience that is, by most measures, an incremental but real improvement over Windows 10—with extra value for those who embrace the AI and cloud-centric features woven through the OS.For users concerned about privacy or ongoing support fees, thorough planning and due diligence—especially regarding new AI features and telemetry—are recommended before making the leap. For everyone else, the clock is ticking: as Windows 10 rides into the sunset, Windows 11 stands ready as both Microsoft’s new flagship and a statement about the future of work, play, and creative expression.
Final Word: Windows 11, Faster—But With Caveats
Windows 11’s marketing narrative leans on real advances and aspirational AI features. Its “2.3x faster” claim, if viewed through the appropriate lens, reflects the cumulative progress of hardware and software together rather than a pure operating system upgrade. The genuine improvements in security, update speed, and battery life provide compelling incentives for individuals and enterprises ready to modernize. At the same time, users must weigh the environmental costs of forced upgrades, the transparency of AI features, and the ongoing evolution of Windows as both product and platform.As Microsoft continues its campaign to retire Windows 10, the coming months will test whether Windows 11 can deliver not only benchmark-breaking speed but also meaningful, everyday gains for the millions who still rely on their PCs for everything from business to creativity to connection. For now, the promise is undeniable—but so too are the questions that remain.
Source: Windows Latest Microsoft says Windows 11 is better than Windows 10, PCs 2.3 times faster
