Microsoft says Windows 11 now runs better on 8GB PCs
Microsoft claims Windows 11 is up to 20% more responsive and multitasking 40% faster on 8GB machines, according to Tom's Hardware, though the figures come from its own tests.
The facts
- Microsoft says Windows 11 is up to 20% more responsive and multitasking is 40% faster on PCs with 8GB of RAM, according to Tom's Hardware.
- These figures come from Microsoft's own lab tests, which Tom's Hardware describes as run in favourable conditions.
- Microsoft says it can keep up to 2GB more active data in memory, Edge opens up to 33% faster, and Teams launch times improve by 20% with Efficiency Mode.
- Microsoft says it cut the memory footprint of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook by 360MB, and WhatsApp is already using the improved memory management.
Case notes · Danny's take
Why it matters
A global component shortage is pushing manufacturers to ship cheaper, thinner specs. So the software has to do more with less. That's the part most buyers miss: the hardware is getting squeezed, and the fix is coming from the operating system. For many people, especially where a new laptop costs serious money in naira, an 8GB machine that works well is the one they will actually own.
For builders
Memory use is now a feature, not an afterthought. If your app is heavy on RAM, expect to be compared with ones that are lean, and look at how WhatsApp is already using Microsoft's memory management. Test your software on 8GB machines, because that is where many of your users are.
Not financial advice. Do your own investigation.
This story was summarised with AI from Tom's Hardware's reporting and checked against our editorial policy. Danny's take reflects his views. Disclaimer.
Danny Walter
Founder of Moon Republic, Volt Terminal and Moon Republic Academy. Author of The Market Is a Crime Scene and After the Applause.