Windows Weekly (Episode WW 899: Functional But Disturbing - Copilot Agents, HP Omnibook Ultra, What's Next?)

Release Date: September 18, 2024

Hosts: Paul Thurrott, Richard Campbell, Micah Sargent

HP Omnibook Ultra: A Hands-On Review

Paul Thurrott shared his initial experience with the HP Omnibook Ultra, highlighting its robust hardware specifications:

[31:06] Paul Thurrott: "It's not particularly compelling looking device. It's got pretty big bezels, it's kind of chunky, it's kind of heavy, it's gray... So performance on this thing is fantastic."

Despite its bulky design, Thurrott praised its performance, noting the inclusion of a Zen 5 processor, 32GB RAM, and 2TB SSD storage. Richard Campbell echoed similar sentiments:

[31:08] Richard Campbell: "It's a sleeper."

The device's battery life impressed the hosts, with Thurrott mentioning:

[31:35] Paul Thurrott: "I woke up this morning and I opened a lid and it did not turn on... So it's functional, just disturbing."

Windows 11 24H2: Updates and Performance Enhancements

Paul Thurrott delved into the Windows 11 24H2 Feature Update, expressing a mixture of anticipation and disappointment:

[05:02] Paul Thurrott: "It's time for Windows Weekly, the show where... it's functional, but a bit of a letdown."

He discussed Microsoft's cumulative update strategy, emphasizing its benefits and potential pitfalls:

[07:53] Paul Thurrott: "The biggest thing is when you right-click on something, you get that menu... massive performance improvements for AMD based systems."

Richard Campbell added insights into the update process for businesses:

[12:03] Richard Campbell: "Separating the cosmetic functionality updates from the security patches... push them without waiting."

The hosts agreed that while the update brought under-the-hood improvements, the visible changes might leave some users underwhelmed.

Copilot Agents and AI Integration in Windows

A significant portion of the episode focused on Microsoft's Copilot Agents and their integration into Windows:

[22:13] Paul Thurrott: "I think we're gonna get there. But like I said, I read that and I said, man, this is what Rich has been asking for."

The discussion highlighted the challenges Microsoft faces in orchestrating AI tasks across diverse hardware:

[22:14] Richard Campbell: "They've got to make sure that abstraction makes sense. And I haven't got good answers there either."

Thurrott proposed potential solutions, suggesting that .NET could serve as an excellent orchestrator for AI behaviors:

[22:58] Paul Thurrott: "I also believe that .NET would be an excellent choice as an orchestrator for this kind of behavior."

Microsoft 365 Summit with CrowdStrike: Security and Updates

The hosts touched upon the Microsoft 365 Summit held in collaboration with CrowdStrike, focusing on security enhancements:

[57:41] Paul Thurrott: "Microsoft last month... with the goal of Resin is running it."

They discussed Microsoft's commitment to maintaining kernel access for cybersecurity products, balancing innovation with security:

[59:24] Richard Campbell: "Which I think is very fair. Right. It's like."

Paul emphasized the ongoing dialogue between Microsoft and industry leaders to enhance Windows security without compromising performance:

[60:29] Paul Thurrott: "It's fair."

Lenovo's ThinkBook Hybrid Station and Tablet: Innovation or Overreach?

A standout topic was Lenovo's ThinkBook Gen 5 Hybrid Station and Tablet, a device that merges Android and Windows environments:

[82:45] Richard Campbell: "This is wacky."

[82:46] Paul Thurrott: "It's crazy town."

The device features a detachable screen running Android and a base unit with Windows, allowing users to switch seamlessly between the two operating systems. Despite its innovative approach, the hosts expressed skepticism about its practicality and high price point:

[84:00] Paul Thurrott: "It's expensive, like north of three grand expensive."

[85:09] Paul Thurrott: "It's a laptop... it can be used as a standalone Android laptop."

The fusion of two distinct operating systems in one device sparked a lively debate on its potential market reception and usability.

Xbox Corner: Game Pass Updates and Gaming Division Layoffs

In the Xbox Corner segment, Paul and Richard discussed recent developments in the gaming division, including Microsoft's layoffs:

[94:35] Paul Thurrott: "Microsoft has laid off more employees in the gaming division."

[94:40] Richard Campbell: "They ended up not getting the contract and... people are past it."

The conversation extended to the impact on Xbox Game Pass, with Thurrott lamenting the slow addition of flagship titles post-acquisition:

[99:50] Richard Campbell: "I'd like to see more major titles on Game Pass given the acquisition timeline."

Both hosts expressed disappointment over the perceived lack of substantial content updates, questioning the value proposition of the Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

Tips and Picks: System Restore and Software Utilities

Paul Thurrott shared valuable advice on utilizing System Restore in Windows:

[116:15] Paul Thurrott: "If you're going to be doing something dangerous in Windows, you can just run, make a restore point... you can restore it to that point."

This tip serves as a precautionary measure before experimenting with system-altering utilities like Explorer Patcher. The hosts encouraged listeners to leverage built-in Windows features to safeguard their systems against potential disruptions.

Additional Highlights

• Microsoft's Copilot Pro: Scheduled for broader release, integrating advanced AI features for enhanced productivity.

• Unity's Runtime Fee Controversy: A brief mention of Unity's failed attempt to implement a runtime fee, leading to significant backlash and leadership changes.

• Thinkst Canary and 1Password Sponsorships: While sponsored content was present, the summary focuses on core discussions, omitting promotional segments as per instructions.

Key Takeaways:

• Windows 11 24H2 brings performance boosts, especially for AMD systems, but may lack exciting new features for some users.

• Copilot Agents represent Microsoft's ambitious yet challenging foray into AI-driven Windows functionalities, aiming to streamline operations across varied hardware setups.

• Lenovo's Hybrid Laptop showcases innovative hardware design but raises questions about market demand and practicality.

• Xbox Game Pass continues to evolve, though recent layoffs and limited high-profile game additions dampen optimism.

• Leveraging System Restore is essential for maintaining system integrity when experimenting with advanced software utilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Thurrott [31:06]: "Performance on this thing is fantastic."

• Richard Campbell [31:08]: "It's a sleeper."

• Paul Thurrott [05:02]: "It's functional, but a bit of a letdown."

• Richard Campbell [12:03]: "Separating the cosmetic functionality updates from the security patches... push them without waiting."

• Paul Thurrott [22:13]: "I think we're gonna get there. But like I said, I read that and I said, man, this is what Rich has been asking for."

• Richard Campbell [22:14]: "They've got to make sure that abstraction makes sense."

• Paul Thurrott [82:45]: "It's wacky. It's crazy town."

• Paul Thurrott [94:35]: "Microsoft has laid off more employees in the gaming division."

This comprehensive overview captures the essence of Windows Weekly Episode WW 899, providing insights into Microsoft's latest endeavors, innovative hardware releases, and the evolving landscape of gaming and security.