Microsoft says you won't be able to swerve Windows 11 min specs

[Saracen999]

At the rate GPU prices are going,I think a lot of gamers might end up buying a console of some sort in the next 5~10 years ,or going the streaming route!

A lot, as you say, probably will. It'sunlikely for me, though.

I like to know what I'm buying into before I decide if I'm willing to buy into it. This is a major part of why I refuse to use Steam, and never will. It's also why I still buy both music and video material on disc, be it CD, DVD, Bluray, etc .... and then digitise it myself. In most cases, if I like it enough to pay for it I want to buy it, not rent it monthly.

The only real exception to that for me is trying before buying. I have (and currenly am, but not for much longer) using Amazon Music Unlimited for that. Most of my musical appreciation for 'pop' (i.e., 'new' current music) kinda atrophied in the 80's when I was just to busy to spend much time listening to 'new' stuff. So I've been listening to a fair bitof newer stuff to find out if I like it or not. Mostly not, by the way, but there are exceptions.

But last time I looked, most of console gaming relied on subscription services. I still have my veerable old Xbox 360 and still use it, but only with games I bought on physical media. I also have zero interest in playing online, whether console or PC.

Maybe it's changed and I can get a good helping of console gaming without subscribing left, right and centre. To be honest, I haven't cared enough to look recently. If I can, then maybe a console is an answer for me .... assuming I cn actually get one, and of course, don't have to submit to the indignity of MS, Sony, Steam or whoever data-mining the hell out of me in the process. How viable is console gaming without an MS games account, Sony account, Steam (Steamdeck) account? My guess? It isn't. But then, I haven't tried.

Oh, not a fan of gaming on controllers either. Much prefer kb/mouse.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

A lot, as you say, probably will. It'sunlikely for me, though.

I like to know what I'm buying into before I decide if I'm willing to buy into it. This is a major part of why I refuse to use Steam, and never will. It's also why I still buy both music and video material on disc, be it CD, DVD, Bluray, etc .... and then digitise it myself. In most cases, if I like it enough to pay for it I want to buy it, not rent it monthly.

The only real exception to that for me is trying before buying. I have (and currenly am, but not for much longer) using Amazon Music Unlimited for that. Most of my musical appreciation for 'pop' (i.e., 'new' current music) kinda atrophied in the 80's when I was just to busy to spend much time listening to 'new' stuff. So I've been listening to a fair bitof newer stuff to find out if I like it or not. Mostly not, by the way, but there are exceptions.

But last time I looked, most of console gaming relied on subscription services. I still have my veerable old Xbox 360 and still use it, but only with games I bought on physical media. I also have zero interest in playing online, whether console or PC.

Maybe it's changed and I can get a good helping of console gaming without subscribing left, right and centre. To be honest, I haven't cared enough to look recently. If I can, then maybe a console is an answer for me .... assuming I cn actually get one, and of course, don't have to submit to the indignity of MS, Sony, Steam or whoever data-mining the hell out of me in the process. How viable is console gaming without an MS games account, Sony account, Steam (Steamdeck) account? My guess? It isn't. But then, I haven't tried.

Oh, not a fan of gaming on controllers either. Much prefer kb/mouse.

The issue here is for the non-gaming stuff a decentish laptop/mini-desktop would be enough,and take up less space. I already am a fan of SFF PC builds - my latest one is now under 6 litres with a dGPU.The biggest issue in size reduction is the size and power of modern dGPUs. But for me building a desktop for non-gaming stuff,meant for gaming stuff I could plonk in a relatively cost effective dGPU and there I have a gaming system. But now AMD/Nvidia have essentially decided to make rubbish like the RTX3060/RX6600XT the best dGPUs you can easily get under £400. Even an RTX3060TI/RX6700XT at under £400 would at least match a console(or close the gap). A RTX3060/RX6600XT,I am really doubtful about.

[Saracen999]

The issue here is for the non-gaming stuff a decentish laptop/mini-desktop would be enough,and take up less space. I already am a fan of SFF PC builds - my latest one is now under 6 litres with a dGPU.The biggest issue in size reduction is the size and power of modern dGPUs. But for me building a desktop for non-gaming stuff,meant for gaming stuff I could plonk in a relatively cost effective dGPU and there I have a gaming system. But now AMD/Nvidia have essentially decided to make rubbish like the RTX3060/RX6600XT the best dGPUs you can easily get under £400. Even an RTX3060TI/RX6700XT at under £400 would at least match a console(or close the gap). A RTX3060/RX6600XT,I am really doubtful about.

My concern about a laptop, and especially a "gaming" laptop is that while most have some degree of upgradability (probably just SSD and/or RAM) almost none are repairable if something else significant fails .... like GPU. And that "gaming" tag implies prett hefty price, if the GPU and screen are both good. A £500 laptop would be worth a punt, but a £2500+ one?

The problem with a system build, SFF or not, is twofold ...

1 - actually getting some parts, like GPU.
2 - getting all the other parts at the same time, which while not as scarce, are limited, and
3 - these days, I can really do without the hassle of either buying loads of bits, building, and maybe troubleshooting.

In some ways, buying a decent custom-built PC would be a better bet, but then in terms of using it, a laptop (for me) has some serious advantages.

Trying to narrow down what I need, or want, is proving tricky, made far worse by a very unpredictable availability, at almost any half-decent price.

[Jonj1611]

A note about gaming laptops, my daughter has one, has gtx2070 graphics and its hot, very hot! It melted the wax from a baby bel that was behind the exhaust on the laptop and it was a good few inches away

[IAmATeaf]

some the of the min spec for CPU makes no sense unless I’m missing something? So for example the Intel Atom x6200FE is supported but an i5-6500 isn’t ?

[Jonj1611]

Think that Intel Atom only came out in January

Wonder if its anything to do with secure boot which the Atom supports

[IAmATeaf]

Think that Intel Atom only came out in January

Wonder if its anything to do with secure boot which the Atom supports

Ah hadn’t realised that, my HP G2 600 desktop supports secure boot but reports that the CPU a i5-6500 doesn’t meet the min specs.

It does look much that MS have simply drawn a line in the sand and anything older has been discounted which is a shame.