The recent column about Windows 11 touched upon many readers’ nerves. While Microsoft does not publicize this, Windows 11 will run on older PCs. Installation requires more effort than on more recent “Windows 11-ready” PCs. The company doesn’t guarantee updates for older computers, but it probably will provide security updates. Microsoft famously publicizes locked front doors while leaving back doors open.
The following web article on ZDNET goes into deep detail on all possible permutations of upgrading to Windows 11: tinyurl.com/4svpd6jd. You can use your search engine to find more background on upgrading to Windows 11.
As far as buying a new PC, if you simply browse the web or plan to write the Great American Novel, a 10-year-old PC should be perfectly adequate. The average PC generation is about five years. That is, the technology moves forward enough in the span of five years to justify a new PC if you rely on it for computationally complex and intensive work.
Intel and AMD play Microsoft’s game. They change the CPU sockets every couple of years. Thus, you can’t simply install a new CPU that meets Microsoft’s demands. Other than replacing a hard drive, and possibly adding memory, most brand-name PCs restrict even the simplest upgrades.
A reader asked that I provide the “secrets” of configuring Windows 11 to resemble Windows 10. This proves difficult to explain in a newspaper column without many of you flipping to the sports section. Check this from Tom’s Hardware, tinyurl.com/4duztb9y, or this article from PC World, tinyurl.com/bdhpkcxm.
If you drill down through the security and preference screens, numerous check boxes confront you. Generally, uncheck most of the boxes, keeping notes, just in case you want to re-enable any of those actions. If you don’t plan to use Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage, you can delete most references to it. Windows also will offer a choice for software and app downloads. Choose one that’s not restricted to the Microsoft Store. (This is only true for your PC, for your smartphone stick to the official Apple App Store or for Android Google Play store.)
I remain unimpressed with Windows 11. In all honesty, I postponed upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for three years. At least I skipped the failed Windows 8 and 8.1 upgrades.
This column takes no responsibility if a suggested computer setting or adjustment fails to work on your particular PC. Every PC contains its own idiosyncrasies as well as interactions between various software installed on the PC.
Returning to televisions, the newest models incorporate increasingly sophisticated operating systems designed to facilitate greater ability for manufacturers to collect data on your viewing habits. Vizio, now owned by Walmart, along with LG, Samsung, Roku are the most aggressive about spying on you. You can’t defeat the spying if you wish to use the “smart” features of the TV. If you don’t care about using your TV for internet streaming, simply turn off/disconnect its internet connectivity after running the initial updates and setup.
If you wish to retain a shred of privacy, buy an Apple 4K TV streaming box, which starts at $129, or the lesser-known Nvidia Shield TV 4K streaming box for $150. They both deliver superb picture quality with ample features. From most reports, they don’t keep tabs on your viewing habits, which is why they are expensive. The cost of the box is not subsidized by selling your data.
As predicted here, Netflix already raised the cost of its streaming. Its standard, ad-free account just increased by $2.50 a month. At the rate it keeps increasing its fees, it will rank right up there with Comcast. At the end of last year, Apple raised its streaming fee by a similar amount. You can expect the rest of the pack to follow suit while content quality declines.
Rich Warren, who lives in the Champaign area, is a longtime reviewer of consumer electronics. Email him at hifiguy@volo.net.
