Podcast Summary: Windows Weekly 914: Something Weird From the Closet

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of 2025, host Leo Laporte welcomes regular co-hosts Paul Thurott and Richard Campbell to discuss the latest developments in the technology landscape. The episode covers a range of topics from CES announcements, the impending end-of-life for Windows 10, new CPU releases from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, to significant strides in AI integration within PCs.

CES 2025 Highlights

The episode kicks off with a recap of CES 2025, where major tech companies unveiled new PCs and announced updates to their processor lines. Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm made significant announcements regarding their latest CPU models, setting the stage for a competitive year in the PC industry.

• Paul Thurott: "When I started looking at the notes, I was thinking, how do we handle the couple of weeks worth of news? ... We'll go topic by topic like we do normally." [03:16]

Windows 10 End of Life and Windows 11 Adoption

A central discussion revolves around the upcoming end-of-life for Windows 10, with Paul highlighting that 63% of PCs worldwide are still operating on Windows 10, which is set to reach its end of service in nine months.

• Paul Thurott: "63% of PCs out in the world are running Windows 10... we're about what are we nine months away from it going end of life, right?" [03:32]

This shift poses a significant challenge for Microsoft as they push for a Windows 11 PC refresh, aiming to transition users to the newer operating system amidst a diverse range of hardware advancements.

CPU and Chip Developments: Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm

The trio delves into the rapid advancements in CPU technology, focusing on Intel's release of "Arrow Lake" chips as successors to Meteor Lake. Paul expresses skepticism about Intel's ability to meet the "Copilot Plus PC" requirements, noting:

• Paul Thurott: "None of them have copilot plus PC capable NPOs. Not a one of them, no. So it's kind of a crazy." [06:02]

Richard discusses Intel's potential for organizational restructuring, hinting at possible dismantling or significant changes within the company:

• Richard Campbell: "They are so ripe for a PE reorganization which really means it dismantling." [06:12]

The conversation also touches on AMD's new N5 architecture and Qualcomm's strides with Snapdragon-based PCs, emphasizing improvements in battery life and performance:

• Paul Thurott: "I have days where I work until 11:30 at night... but all day is the metric we're really looking for. And you know, they mostly do it the new one, the new chip." [12:00]

ARM in PCs and the Future of x86

The discussion shifts to the role of ARM architecture in personal computers. Paul and Richard debate the viability of ARM-based PCs in the enterprise sector, questioning management capabilities and long-term support:

• Richard Campbell: "How do you bet on Snapdragon when it's still not fully in management on an enterprise scale." [07:20]

Leo introduces the possibility of ARM designs integrating more closely with discrete GPUs, citing potential collaborations and future releases from companies like Nvidia and MediaTek.

OEM Brand Rebranding: HP and Dell

A notable segment covers HP and Dell's recent rebranding efforts at CES, where both companies have simplified their product lines by removing distinct brand names like Latitude and Precision, opting instead for more generic labels such as Dell Pro Max and HP Elite:

• Paul Thurott: "Inspiron, Precision, Latitude, XPS are unique to Dell... It's designed for people who don't buy our computers because something like 70% of their sales are to businesses." [45:20]

The co-hosts express skepticism over the effectiveness of this strategy, fearing it dilutes brand equity and confuses consumers.

Windows 11 24H2 Update Issues

The trio addresses the ongoing problems with the Windows 11 24H2 update, particularly issues related to Auto HDR and system stability:

• Paul Thurott: "This week's problem with 24H2 is that if you have Auto HDR enabled in your computer, Microsoft's gonna block that upgrade because Microsoft wrote both of those pieces of software and doesn't know what the heck it's doing." [34:57]

They acknowledge Microsoft's efforts to patch these issues, noting that the update is still in flux with various beta builds trying to incorporate features from 24H2 into 23H2.

AI Integration and Microsoft's Strategic Partnerships

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Microsoft's strategic investments in AI and their partnership with OpenAI. Paul reveals insights into Microsoft's exclusive agreement with OpenAI, which defines Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) as a milestone of $100 billion in profits. This agreement ensures Microsoft retains priority access to OpenAI's advancements until they achieve this financial benchmark.

• Paul Thurott: "These two companies that are the pioneers now in AI have determined, have defined in a legal agreement AGI as money. It's like, guys, come on." [104:00]

The hosts critique this arrangement, suggesting it primarily benefits Microsoft by locking in OpenAI's technologies, potentially sidelining other competitors like Google and Amazon.

Gaming and Xbox Developments

Moving into the gaming sphere, the hosts discuss Microsoft's initiatives to integrate Xbox more deeply into the Windows ecosystem. Phil Spencer hints at the possibility of handheld gaming PCs running a streamlined version of the Xbox OS, leveraging Windows' Hyper-V architecture.

• Paul Thurott: "Microsoft has been taking baby steps to make the Xbox experience on Windows more console-like... maybe there's a world in which there's a handheld gaming device running that kernel." [114:17]

They also touch upon the upcoming NVIDIA 5000 series graphics cards, debating their necessity and the diminishing returns for gamers, especially given the current state of game optimization and display technologies.

Data Centers and Infrastructure Concerns

The conversation briefly explores the impact of burgeoning data center demands on regional power grids, particularly in the Northeast:

• Paul Thurott: "These data centers are starting to destabilize the grid in the Northeast." [106:00]

They speculate about future infrastructure expansions, including energy and water resources, to support the ever-growing needs of data centers.

Miscellaneous Topics and Community Engagement

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts share personal anecdotes, discuss their involvement in various projects like Hands on Windows and DotNet Rocks, and promote community engagement through surveys and club memberships. They also introduce a new AI-generated whiskey theme song titled "Something from the Closet," showcasing advancements in AI-generated content that closely mimics human creativity.

• Paul Thurott: "It doesn't trigger the uncanny valley... it's pretty darn impressive." [141:10]

Conclusion

In summary, Windows Weekly Episode 914 provides listeners with an in-depth analysis of the current state and future trends in the PC industry, emphasizing the rapid advancements in CPU technology, the strategic maneuvering within major tech companies, and the transformative impact of AI integration. The hosts offer critical insights into Microsoft's partnerships and the challenges facing Windows 11 adoption, all while maintaining an engaging and conversational tone.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Thurott: "63% of PCs out in the world are running Windows 10... we're about what are we nine months away from it going end of life, right?" [03:32]

• Richard Campbell: "They are so ripe for a PE reorganization which really means it dismantling." [06:12]

• Paul Thurott: "This week's problem with 24H2 is that if you have Auto HDR enabled in your computer, Microsoft's gonna block that upgrade because Microsoft wrote both of those pieces of software and doesn't know what the heck it's doing." [34:57]

• Paul Thurott: "These two companies that are the pioneers now in AI have determined, have defined in a legal agreement AGI as money. It's like, guys, come on." [104:00]

• Paul Thurott: "They bought them in bulk and they sell them per... they buy them in bulk and they sell them per..." [127:35]

Key Takeaways:

1. Windows 10's End of Life: A significant portion of the PC market remains on Windows 10, posing a challenge for the transition to Windows 11.

2. CPU Race: Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm are aggressively pushing new CPUs with varying focuses on performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities.

3. ARM vs. x86: The viability of ARM-based PCs in enterprise settings remains uncertain, with management and support being major hurdles.

4. OEM Rebranding: HP and Dell's rebranding efforts may lead to confusion and dilution of established brand loyalties.

5. AI Partnerships: Microsoft's exclusive agreement with OpenAI could shape the future of AI development and its integration into consumer and enterprise products.

6. Gaming Integration: Microsoft's vision for a more integrated Xbox and Windows gaming experience could revolutionize handheld gaming devices.

7. Data Center Growth: Expansion of data centers is putting strain on regional infrastructures, necessitating significant investments in power and water resources.

This episode serves as a comprehensive overview of the dynamic and rapidly evolving PC and tech landscape as we step into 2025, offering valuable insights for both casual listeners and tech enthusiasts.